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Journal of Medical Case Reports
Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Case report

Purtscher’s retinopathy and renal cortical necrosis: two rare vaso-occlusive complications in a patient with acute pancreatitis: a case report

Authors: Wasim Md. Mohosin Ul Haque, Mehruba Alam Ananna, Hasna Fahmima Haque, Muhammad Abdur Rahim, Tabassum Samad, Sarwar Iqbal

Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

Purtscher’s retinopathy and renal cortical necrosis are two rare vaso-occlusive complications of acute pancreatitis. Purtscher’s retinopathy causes sudden impairment of vision, which was first reported in a patient with head trauma. Subsequently, it was also reported as a complication of acute pancreatitis and few other clinical conditions. Acute pancreatitis also rarely causes renal cortical necrosis leading to acute kidney injury. However, the simultaneous presence of both complications is rarely reported.

Case presentation

A 20-year-old Bengali man presented to our hospital with a history of acute upper abdominal pain, vomiting, anuria, and disorientation. He was ultimately found to have bilateral complete blindness due to Purtscher’s retinopathy and acute kidney injury due to renal cortical necrosis, as sequelae of acute pancreatitis. He became dialysis-dependent, his vision did not recover, and he died 16 months after diagnosis.

Conclusions

This case highlights Purtscher’s retinopathy and renal cortical necrosis might be considered as a recognized pair complication of acute pancreatitis.
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Metadata
Title
Purtscher’s retinopathy and renal cortical necrosis: two rare vaso-occlusive complications in a patient with acute pancreatitis: a case report
Authors
Wasim Md. Mohosin Ul Haque
Mehruba Alam Ananna
Hasna Fahmima Haque
Muhammad Abdur Rahim
Tabassum Samad
Sarwar Iqbal
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Medical Case Reports / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1752-1947
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-016-1111-4

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