RESUMO
Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) is a rare neoplasm, with a limited number of cases reported in the periocular region. In this case report, we detail a 63-year-old woman who presented with a polypoid, exophytic lesion on her right upper eyelid that had been progressing for a year. The lesion was meticulously excised with security margins and reconstructed using a glabellar flap. Following a thorough microscopic and immunohistochemical analysis, AFX was diagnosed. Despite its sometimes clinical and histological benign appearance, AFX is classified as a malignant neoplasm; however, it carries an excellent prognosis with low metastasis and recurrence rates. Complete excision with safety margins is essential and an adequate post-operative surveillance is recommended. Owing to its rarity, ophthalmologists should remain vigilant and include AFX in their differential diagnosis, as the tumor's benign appearance may lead to misdiagnosis of this malignant entity.
RESUMO
PURPOSE: To report a case of Purpureocillium lilacinum endophthalmitis. METHODS: The case of a fungal endophthalmitis caused by Purpureocillium lilacinum documented in an immunocompetent patient with no apparent trigger. RESULTS: A 64-year-old male with a two-month history of panuveitis in his left eye was referred to our hospital. Initially misdiagnosed as sympathetic ophthalmia due to a previous surgery on his right eye 4 months before the onset of the left ocular picture, the patient received corticosteroid treatment, leading to a rapid deterioration of the left eye condition. An urgent exploratory vitrectomy was performed to identify the underlying cause, revealing endophthalmitis. Microbiological investigation yielded Purpureocillium lilacinum as the causative agent. Despite intensive treatment, including intravitreal antibiotics and antifungals, along with another surgical intervention, clinical evolution remained unfavourable, ultimately leading to the evisceration of the affected eye. CONCLUSIONS: Purpureocillium lilacinum poses a rare yet sever threat as a causative agent of fungal endophthalmitis. Managing such cases is challenging due to the delayed identification, fungus's resistance to common antifungals, and its association with prior corticosteroid misuse in most patients. This case underscores the crucial importance of heightened clinical suspicion, early diagnosis, and the exploration of alternative treatment strategies in addressing Purpureocillium lilacinum endophthalmitis. The challenges posed by this rare fungal pathogen emphasize the need for a multidisciplinary approach and continued research to improve outcomes in these complex cases.
RESUMO
PURPOSE: To describe a rare case of posterior scleritis associated with late-onset Takayasu arteritis. METHODS: A case report of a 75-year-old female presenting with posterior scleritis, eventually diagnosed with late-onset Takayasu arteritis was described. Several medical evaluation visits were conducted, including ophthalmological and rheumatological follow-up. Multiple diagnostic tests were carried out, and the cornerstones of the treatment were corticosteroids and the IL-6 inhibitor tocilizumab. RESULTS: The patient was admitted to our hospital's emergency room with right unilateral eyelid edema, chemosis and red eye. She had previously experienced two episodes that were misdiagnosed as preseptal cellulitis. The presence of choroidal folds and the T sign on the ultrasound exam were highly suggestive of posterior scleritis. Later, the patient was diagnosed with Takayasu arteritis, a type of large vessel vasculitis. Treatment with steroids was started, which was later switched to IL-6 inhibitors to achieve better control of the systemic disease. CONCLUSION: Posterior scleritis is often misdiagnosed, necessitating high clinical suspicion. Multimodal diagnosis is important to establish an accurate diagnosis. Up to 34% of cases may be associated with a systemic disease. This is the first case described in the literature of posterior scleritis associated with late-onset Takayasu arteritis.