| Presentation preference | Poster presentation |
| Title | Differential diagnosis of posterior scleritis in a referral center in Tunisia, North Africa |
| Purpose | To analyze the patterns of posterior scleritis in a referral center in Tunisia |
| Methods | The charts of 32patients(35eyes)diagnosed with posterior scleritis were retrospectively reviewed |
| Results | 12 patients(37.5%)were male and 20patients(62.5%)were female.Mean age was 46.9+/-15.6years.Clinical findings at presentation included optic disc swelling in 10 eyes (28.6%),retinal striae in 18eyes(51.4%),serous retinal detachment SRD in 12eyes(34.3%),and deep yellowish lesions in 7eyes (20%).B-mode ultrasonography showed highly reflective sclero-choroidal thickening in all eyes.Fluorescein angiography showed delayed choroidal perfusion (9eyes, 25.7%), pin-points (10eyes, 28.6%), dye pooling (10eyes, 28.6%), and optic disc hyperfluorescence(22 eyes,62.85%).Optical coherence tomography showed SRD(14 eyes, 40%)and/or retinal pigment epithelial folds(17eyes,48.6%).Work-up showed that posterior scleritis was associated with systemic disease in 8 patients (25%)(rheumatoid arthritis 3patients, sarcoidosis 1 patient,ankylosing spondylitis 1patient and unspecified inflammatory arthritis 3 patients)and with tuberculosis in 3 patients(9.4%).A diagnosis of idiopathic posterior scleritis was made in 21patients(65.6%).The first line therapy included non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in 30 patients(93.75%) and oral corticosteroids in 2 patients(6.25%).Immunosuppressive drugs were required for 2 patients(6.25%).Antitubercular therapy associated with oral corticosteroids were used in the 3 patients(6.37%) |
| Conclusion | Multimodal imaging provides useful clues for diagnosis of posterior scleritis.A thorough work-up to exclude an underlying infectious or systemic disease is essential for adequate treatment to improve patient outcomes |
| Conflict of interest | No |
Authors 1
| Last name | KSIAA |
| Initials of first name(s) | I |
| Department | Department of Ophthalmology, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital |
| City | Monastir |
| Country | Tunisia |
Authors 2
| Last name | JOUINI |
| Initials of first name(s) | A |
| Department | Department of Ophthalmology, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital |
| City | Monastir |
| Country | Tunisia |
Authors 3
| Last name | BEN DHIA |
| Initials of first name(s) | R |
| Department | Department of Ophthalmology, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital |
| City | Monastir |
| Country | Tunisia |
Authors 4
| Last name | MARRAKCHI |
| Initials of first name(s) | W |
| Department | Department of Ophthalmology, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital |
| City | Monastir |
| Country | Tunisia |
Authors 5
| Last name | KHOCHTALI |
| Initials of first name(s) | S |
| Department | Department of Ophthalmology, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital |
| City | Monastir |
| Country | Tunisia |
Authors 6
| Last name | KHAIRALLAH |
| Initials of first name(s) | M |
| Department | Department of Ophthalmology, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital |
| City | Monastir |
| Country | Tunisia |
