Posterior Scleritis in a Pediatric Patient: Importance of Pain Recognition and Early Ultrasound Diagnosis.

ABSTRACT

Scleritis is a rare and potentially sight-threatening inflammatory disorder affecting the sclera. While anterior scleritis is the more commonly encountered subtype, posterior scleritis represents a larger portion of cases in the pediatric population. Diagnosing posterior scleritis can be challenging due to the overlap with other more common ocular conditions, particularly in the pediatric age group. In this case report, we present a unique case of posterior scleritis in a 12-year-old girl. The patient initially presented with severe right-sided headache and eye pain, which was initially misdiagnosed as atypical optic neuritis. However, subsequent magnetic resonance imaging and ocular ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis of posterior scleritis. This case highlights the significance of recognizing pain as a key symptom and the value of early ultrasound evaluation in diagnosing posterior scleritis in the pediatric population.