Obstet Gynecol Sci.  2013 Jul;56(4):261-264.

Development of Purtscher-like retinopathy after pre-eclampsia combined with acute pancreatitis

• Jeon SY
• Jung E
• Seol HJ
• Hur YJ

Abstract

Visual disturbances are common among women with pre-eclampsia. The obstetricians should have an understanding of the various conditions associated with visual impairments. We report a case of Purtscher-like retinopathy developed after pre-eclampsia combined with acute pancreatitis. A 33-year-old primigravida with twin pregnancy was admitted to the department of obstetrics and gynecology for preterm labor and pre-eclampsia at 36+4 weeks gestation. After a cesarean section, she complained of abdominal pain and visual acuity loss. She was diagnosed with Purtscher-like retinopathy combined with acute pancreatitis after ophthalmologic examination and an abdominal computed tomography scan. Purtscher-like retinopathy, most often observed after trauma, is very rare in pre-eclampsia. In addition, while visual disturbances from other conditions are transient, it can result in persistent visual impairments. Thus, when a patient with pre-eclampsia complains of visual problems for a long period of time, obstetricians should consider an ophthalmologic evaluation and treatments during the earliest stage of the disease.

Keyword

Pancreatitis; Pre-eclampsia; Retinal diseases; Vision disorders

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Cesarean Section
Female
Gynecology
Humans
Obstetric Labor, Premature
Obstetrics
Pancreatitis
Pre-Eclampsia
Pregnancy
Pregnancy, Twin
Retinal Diseases
Vision Disorders
Visual Acuity

Figure

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  Fig. 1 The retinal photography shows characteristic multiple cotton-wool exudates, known as Purtscher flecken, in both eyes and a retinal splinter hemorrhage in the right eye.

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  Fig. 2 Brain magnetic resonance imaging shows normal findings.

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