Case Report: Postpartum Purtscher-like Retinopathy

Abstract

SIGNIFICANCE:This case highlights various clinical features and resolution of Purtscher-like retinopathy after childbirth. PURPOSE:This study aimed to present a case report of postpartum Purtscher-like retinopathy and subsequent resolution after oral and intravitreal treatment. CASE REPORT: A 30-year-old woman presented with subjective visual disturbance and transient scotoma in her right eye 7 days after giving birth. Vision measured 20/20 in her right eye and 20/20 in her left eye. Clinical examination revealed optic disc edema, retinal ischemia, and retinal hemorrhage in the right eye with a grossly normal appearance of the left eye. A diagnosis of Purtscher-like retinopathy was made. Neuroimaging and bloodwork were noncontributory to the diagnosis. Approximately 1 month after treatment with rapidly tapered oral methylprednisolone and a single intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech, San Francisco, CA) injection, the retinopathy had resolved with subjective visual improvement.CONCLUSIONS: Purtscher-like retinopathy can occur after childbirth, usually within 1 to 2 days postpartum and occasionally associated with preeclampsia. Clinical course and visual improvement vary, but novel treatments may aid in visual recovery.

Purtscher-like Retinopathy in a Patient with Systemic Sclerosis: A Case Report and Narrative Review

“…Other, rarer causes of PLR include pre-eclampsia, [ 11 ] neoplastic diseases [ 12 , 13 ], and viral infections such as COVID-19 [ 14 ], influenza [ 15 ], or dengue [ 16 ]. PLR following childbirth [ 17 ] or as a rare complication of retrobulbar anesthesia [ 18 ] or a result of the Valsalva maneuver [ 19 ] has also been reported in the literature. On the other hand, other diseases can sometimes present with similar fundus findings, such as cytomegalovirus retinitis, HIV, leukemia, diabetes, and hypertensive retinopathy [ 20 ].…”

Bilateral Purtscher-like retinopathy: A case report in a patient with pre-eclampsia and post intrauterine fetal demise

“…Although most of these changes are transient, some rare sight-threatening eye conditions have been linked to preeclampsia namely Purtscher-like retinopathy [ 7 , 12 , 13 ]. Patients with Purtscher-like retinopathy usually present within the first 48 h postpartum [ 14 ]. Similarly, in our case, vision loss was reported 3 h postpartum.…”