Bilateral acute retinal necrosis caused by cytomegalovirus in an immunocompromised patient

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of bilateral acute retinal necrosis caused by cytomegalovirus.

Methods: A diagnostic vitrectomy was performed on a patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma who presented with a bilateral, rapidly progressing necrotizing retinitis and uveitis.

Results: Immunohistochemical studies and polymerase chain reaction disclosed cytomegalovirus as the cause of retinitis. The patient was treated with intravitreal and intravenous ganciclovir.

Conclusions: Although rare, cytomegalovirus may lead to an appearance identical to acute retinal necrosis and should be considered among the viral etiologies of this syndrome.