Unusual eye signs in Wegener's granulomatosis

Alice YK Chan, Edmund K Li, Paul CL Choi, David TL Liu, Philip TH Lam, Dennis SC Lam
Social Hygiene Service, Department of Health, Hong Kong

Wegener's granulomatosis is a rare necrotising vasculitis not easily diagnosed due to the obscurity of its diverse clinical features. Despite its comparatively low incidence, the unusual ophthalmic manifestations seen in this disease warrant extra caution from attending rheumatologists. In this case, bilateral peripheral ulcerative keratitis preceded any systemic symptoms. Timely recognition of the significance of this ophthalmic complaint and prompt ophthalmological consultation can help achieve early diagnosis and treatment of this potentially fatal rheumatological disease.

Hong Kong Med J 2007;13:241-2

Key words: Vasculitis; Wegener's granulomatosis