NECROTIZING RETINOPATHY WITH HERPES-ZOSTER OPHTHALMICUS

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 100  (7) , 386-391
Abstract
A necrotizing retinopathy following a vesicular cutaneous eruption in the distribution of the right trigeminal nerve developed in an [elderly] patient receiving systemic corticosteroid therapy 1 wk prior to the onset of herpes zoster ophthalmicus. At 7 wk after the herpetic symptoms began, the patient died of pneumonia following an intracerebral hematoma. At postmortem examination, unexpected multiple focal and confluent lesions, corresponding to areas of extensive retinal necrosis, were observed in the fundus of the right eye. Intranuclear inclusions with a perinuclear halo were identified within the affected sensory retina. EM of the retinal lesions disclosed round to oval enveloped viral particles that were characteristic of herpesviruses. A mild lymphocytic infiltrate was evident in a demyelinated right Gasserian ganglion. Demyelination and necrosis of the right trigeminal sensory tract and adjacent areas were evident within the brain stem.

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