Choroidal neovascular membrane formation and retinochoroidopathy in a patient with systemic Langerhans cell histiocytosis: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

We report a case of bilateral atrophic retinochoroidopathy with choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) formation in a patient with systemic Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). A 35-year-old female, diagnosed with LCH at the age of 3, experienced an episode of acute vision loss in her right eye. Visual acuity was counting fingers. Dilated fundus exam and fluorescein angiography revealed the presence of CNVM along with bilateral widespread areas of chorioretinal atrophy. The patient underwent removal of CNVM with excellent postoperative visual acuity (20/25); however, indolent progression of her disease led to gradual deterioration of visual acuity (20/80 in the right eye and 20/320 in the left). This case shows that in contrast to previous reports, intraocular involvement of LCH does not need to be dramatic and clinically evident but it can acquire a chronic degenerative form. This report aims to raise awareness among ophthalmologists concerning the potential intraocular sequelae of LCH. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.