Acute retinal necrosis following epidural steroid injections.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To report a side effect of epidural corticosteroid injections for back pain.

DESIGN:

Case series.

METHODS:

Review of clinical charts and photographs.

SETTING:

Private retina practice.

RESULTS:

Two patients developed acute retinal necrosis syndrome following epidural corticosteroid injections for back pain. Referral was delayed in one patient. One patient developed bilateral secondary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and both developed secondary macular pucker.

CONCLUSIONS:

Acute retinal necrosis can follow epidural corticosteroid injections. Patients should be warned about this possibility and advised to report should photopsias, photosensitivity, blurred vision, or new floaters develop after treatment. Orthopedists should be aware of the complication and promptly refer patients with symptoms for dilated fundus examination by an ophthalmologist.

• Authors: David J Browning
• Journal: American journal of ophthalmology (Am J Ophthalmol) Vol. 136 Issue 1 Pg. 192-4 (Jul 2003) ISSN: 0002-9394 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12834695 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Viral
• Antiviral Agents
• Glucocorticoids
• Immunoglobulin G
• Acyclovir

Topics

• Acyclovir (therapeutic use)
• Aged
• Antibodies, Viral (blood)
• Antiviral Agents (therapeutic use)
• Eye Infections, Viral (diagnosis, drug therapy, virology)
• Female
• Glucocorticoids (adverse effects)
• Herpes Simplex (diagnosis, drug therapy, virology)
• Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus (diagnosis, drug therapy, virology)
• Herpesvirus 1, Human (physiology)
• Herpesvirus 2, Human (physiology)
• Herpesvirus 3, Human (physiology)
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin G (analysis)
• Injections, Epidural
• Low Back Pain (drug therapy)
• Male
• Retinal Detachment (virology)
• Retinal Necrosis Syndrome, Acute (diagnosis, drug therapy, virology)
• Virus Activation (drug effects)