Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Ahmed Ladjimi

Publications and source records attributed to Ahmed Ladjimi.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy associated with rickettsia conorii infection.

A 43-year-old man with fever, headache, and skin rash developed unilateral acute anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. The indirect immunofluorescence test was positive for Rickettsia conorii. Although retinal lesions have been described in Rickettsia conorii infection, this is the first reported case of ischemic optic neuropathy. This infection should be considered in a patient with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy with high fever or skin rash who inhabits or travels from an endemic area.

Acute Disease↗

Posterior segment manifestations of Rickettsia conorii infection.

PURPOSE: To characterize and analyze the posterior segment manifestations of Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF), an infectious disease caused by Rickettsia conorii. DESIGN: Prospective, noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty patients (60 eyes) with serologically proven MSF at the acute stage. METHODS: Patients underwent complete ophthalmic examination, including dilated biomicroscopic fundus examination, fundus photography, and fluorescein angiography. Sequential follow-up examinations were performed in patients with evidence of posterior segment involvement. RESULTS: Of 30 patients, 25 (83.3%) had unilateral (n = 5) or bilateral (n = 20) posterior segment involvement related to MSF. Of those 25 patients, 16 (64%) had no ocular symptoms, and 9 (36%) had ocular complaints. Findings included mild vitreous inflammation (45 eyes [75%]), white retinal lesions (18 eyes [30%]), focal vascular sheathing (5 eyes [8.3%]), multiple arterial plaques (1 eye [1.7%]), intraretinal hemorrhages (14 eyes [23.3%]), white-centered retinal hemorrhages (2 eyes [3.3%]), subretinal hemorrhages (2 eyes [3.3%]), serous retinal detachment (3 eyes [5%]), macular star (2 eyes [3.3%]), cystoid macular edema (1 eye [1.7%]), optic disc edema (1 eye [1.7%]), branch retinal artery occlusion (1 eye [1.7%]), optic disc staining (30 eyes [50%]), retinal vascular leakage (27 eyes [45%]), delayed filling in a branch retinal vein (1 eye [1.7%]), and multiple hypofluorescent choroidal dots (10 eyes [16.7%]). One eye (1.7%) had retinal neovascularization at the 6-month follow-up examination. All posterior segment findings at the acute stage resolved in 3 to 10 weeks, and the final visual acuity was 20/20 in 42 of 45 affected eyes (93.3%). Retinal pigment epithelium changes developed in 9 eyes (15%), with resolved full-thickness white retinal lesions. No other abnormalities were noted in the eye with retinal neovascularization over a further follow-up of 6 months. CONCLUSION: Posterior segment involvement, frequently asymptomatic, is common in patients with acute MSF. Because the diagnosis can be easily overlooked, a careful dilated funduscopic examination, complemented by fluorescein angiography in selected cases, is recommended. Mild vitritis, retinal vasculitis, optic disc staining, white retinal lesions, retinal hemorrhages, and multiple hypofluorescent choroidal dots are the most common manifestations of MSF. Posterior segment changes in a patient with fever and/or skin rash living in or returning from a specific endemic area, especially during the spring or summer, strongly suggest R. conorii infection.

Adolescent↗

Chorioretinal involvement in patients with West Nile virus infection.

PURPOSE: To characterize and analyze the chorioretinal manifestations of West Nile virus (WNV) infection. DESIGN: Prospective, noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-nine consecutive patients with serologically confirmed WNV infection in the setting of an outbreak of the disease. METHODS: The average duration of systemic symptoms before ophthalmic examination was 10 days (range, 2-30 days). All participants underwent a detailed ophthalmic examination at presentation and regularly throughout follow-up, including dilated biomicroscopic fundus examination, fundus photography, and fluorescein angiography. RESULTS: A typical multifocal chorioretinitis was observed in 20 of 29 patients (69%) bilaterally at presentation and developed later during follow-up in 3 patients (10.3%), bilaterally (n = 1) or unilaterally (n = 2). Multifocal chorioretinitis was associated with mild vitreous inflammatory reaction in all cases. Other findings included intraretinal hemorrhages (21 patients [72.4%]), white-centered retinal hemorrhages (7 patients [24.1%]), focal retinal vascular sheathing (3 patients [10.4%]), marked diffuse retinal arterial sheathing (1 patient [3.4%]), retinal vascular leakage (5 patients [17.2%]), optic disc swelling (2 patients [6.9%]), optic disc staining (6 patients [20.7%]), segmental zones of retinal pigment epithelium changes (1 patient [3.4%]), and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (7 patients [24.1%]). The posterior segment findings related to WNV disease had a self-limited course in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Chorioretinal involvement, frequently asymptomatic and self-limited, is common in patients with acute WNV infection. The unique pattern of multifocal chorioretinitis in patients with systemic symptoms suggestive of WNV can help to establish the diagnosis while serologic testing is pending. Therefore, a systematic ocular evaluation, including dilated fundus examination and fluorescein angiography in selected cases, is recommended in patients with clinically suspected WNV infection.

Adult↗

Posterior segment changes associated with posterior microphthalmos.

PURPOSE: To characterize and analyze the posterior segment ocular involvement in patients with posterior microphthalmos. DESIGN: Retrospective observational case series. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen patients (8 sporadic cases and 10 siblings from 5 different families) between the age of 4 and 36 years with posterior microphthalmos. METHODS: Records of patients with posterior microphthalmos over a 5-year-period were reviewed, including clinical, fundus photographic, fluorescein angiographic, and ultrasonographic findings, and management. RESULTS: All patients had bilateral foreshortening of the posterior ocular segment (range, 7--11.2 mm) with associated high hyperopia (range, +12.00--+19.00 diopters) and normal or slightly smaller than normal anterior segment dimensions. Visual acuity ranged from 20/200 to 20/40. Inheritance of this syndrome was compatible with an autosomal recessive pattern. Posterior segment changes included bilateral elevated papillomacular retinal fold (13 patients, 72.2%); fine retinal folds (6 patients, 33.3%); chorioretinal folds (11 patients, 61.1%); uveal effusion syndrome (3 patients, 16.7%); pigmentary retinopathy (4 patients, 22.2%), including retinitis punctata albescens in 1 patient; absence or marked reduction of the capillary-free zone (18 patients, 100%); crowded optic discs (18 patients, 100%); and sclerochoroidal thickening on ultrasonography (18 patients, 100%). Two patients with uveal effusion were successfully treated with scleral surgery. CONCLUSION: A wide variety of congenital or acquired posterior segment changes may be encountered in patients with posterior microphthalmos. Although high hyperopia and elevated papillomacular retinal fold are the main causes of visual impairment, other chorioretinal changes, such as pigmentary retinopathy, chorioretinal folds and uveal effusion syndrome, should be considered as causes of visual disturbance in patients with posterior microphthalmos. Early ultrasonographic diagnosis, close follow-up, and appropriate management are mandatory to improve or maintain visual function in such patients.

Adolescent↗

Primary intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for diabetic massive macular hard exudates.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide as treatment for massive macular hard exudates in diabetic patients. METHODS: The study was a prospective, noncomparative, interventional case series of 12 eyes (12 patients) with massive hard exudates involving the fovea that had no previous focal laser treatment. A single intravitreal injection of 4 mg of triamcinolone acetonide in 0.1 mL was performed. Visual acuity and evolution of hard exudates and fluorescein leakage were assessed. Potential complications were monitored, including ocular hypertension and endophthalmitis. RESULTS: The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 12 months (mean, 8.25 months). Visual acuity improved significantly at examinations performed 7 days (P = 0.036), 1 month (P = 0.008), 3 months (P = 0.008), and 6 months (P = 0.003) after the injection. Visual acuity improved by at least 2 Snellen lines in 4 patients (33%). However, no eyes with initial visual acuity worse than 20/100 improved to better than 20/100. Foveal hard exudates resolved completely in 6 eyes (50%) and partially in 6 eyes (50%). Fluorescein leakage decreased and a variable proportion of microaneurysms disappeared in all cases. Intraocular pressure elevation occurred in 3 eyes (25%) and was successfully treated by topical medication. No other complications, such as endophthalmitis, were recorded. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide appears to be beneficial for reducing hard exudates, decreasing fluorescein leakage, and significantly improving visual acuity in patients with diabetic massive hard exudates. Visual improvement may not be important due to profound anatomical impairment caused by hard exudate deposition. Further studies with a larger number of patients are required to assess the long-term efficacy and safety and the need for retreatment.

Adult↗

Severe ischemic maculopathy in a patient with West Nile virus infection.

A 60-year-old man with diabetes mellitus had a sudden decrease in vision in his right eye 3 weeks after confirmed West Nile virus infection. Visual acuity in the right eye was 20/400. Fundus examination showed bilateral multifocal chorioretinitis, which was associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy in the right eye and severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy in the left eye. There were deep, dense retinal hemorrhages, retinal opacification, and retinal arterial sheathing in the macula of the right eye. Fluorescein angiography revealed extensive capillary nonperfusion in the macular area of the right eye. Six months later, vision remained unchanged and a choroidal neovascularization developed over a chorioretinal scar in the same eye.

Chorioretinitis↗