Necrotizing nocardial scleritis after combined penetrating keratoplasty and phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation: a case report and review of the literature.

We report the history and clinical presentation of an 88-year-old female with Fuchs dystrophy who developed an acute anterior necrotizing scleritis in her left eye 23 months after an uncomplicated combined penetrating keratoplasty and phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation which progressed to slceral perforation with uveal prolapses. The patient underwent a complete systemic work-up for both autoimmune and infectious causes of scleritis. Surgical specimens of the area of scleral perforation were sent for histology and microbiologic studies. Analysis of surgical specimens revealed the presence of culture-proven Nocardia asteroides as a causative agent for the patient's scleral perforation. Results of her systemic autoimmune work-up were not conclusive. Successful treatment with tectonic scleral reinforcement with donor corneal tissue and preserved pericardium, oral and topical trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and topical amikacin salvaged the globe and increased vision. The patient's final best-corrected visual acuity sixteen months after her last operation remains 20/70. Prompt surgical intervention with submission of appropriate specimens for pathological diagnosis and microbiology, along with consultation with rheumatologic and infectious disease specialists, are mandatory to minimize visual loss in cases of suspected infectious necrotizing scleritis.

Necrotizing nocardial scleritis after combined penetrating keratoplasty and phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation: a case report and review of the literature

We report the history and clinical presentation of an 88-year-old female with Fuchs dystrophy who developed an acute anterior necrotizing scleritis in her left eye 23 months after an uncomplicated combined penetrating keratoplasty and phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation which progressed to slceral perforation with uveal prolapses. The patient underwent a complete systemic work-up for both autoimmune and infectious causes of scleritis. Surgical specimens of the area of scleral perforation were sent for histology and microbiologic studies. Analysis of surgical specimens revealed the presence of culture-proven Nocardia asteroides as a causative agent for the patient's scleral perforation. Results of her systemic autoimmune work-up were not conclusive. Successful treatment with tectonic scleral reinforcement with donor corneal tissue and preserved pericardium, oral and topical trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and topical amikacin salvaged the globe and increased vision. The patient's final best-corrected visual acuity sixteen months after her last operation remains 20/70. Prompt surgical intervention with submission of appropriate specimens for pathological diagnosis and microbiology, along with consultation with rheumatologic and infectious disease specialists, are mandatory to minimize visual loss in cases of suspected infectious necrotizing scleritis.

Relato de caso de esclerite necrosante aguda, evoluindo para perfuração escleral com prolapso uveal, 23 meses após procedimento de ceratoplastia penetrante e facoemulsificação com implante de lente intra-ocular no olho esquerdo sem intercorrências.A paciente foi submetida à avaliação completa auto-imune para esclerite. Biópsia da área de perfuração escleral foi encaminhada para avaliação patológica e microbiológica. Análise de material cirúrgico revelou presença de cultura proveniente de Nocardia asteroides como agente causal da perfuração escleral. Resultados de exames do sistema auto-imune não foram conclusivos. Tratamento foi um sucesso com reforço escleral tectônico do tecido corneano doador, utilização de pericárdio preservado, associado ao uso sistêmico e tópico de sulfametoxazol-trimetropina e amicacina colírio. Apresentou melhora visual após o tratamento e a melhor correção visual final, 16 meses após o último procedimento cirúrgico foi de 20/70. Intervenção cirúrgica precoce, análise patológica e microbiológica do material, associados a consulta a especialistas na área de doenças infecciosas e reumatologia, são primordiais para minimizar perda visual em casos de suspeitas de esclerite infecciosa necrosante.