Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 14-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

Purtscher Retinopathy and Necrotizing Vasculitis With Gemcitabine Therapy

Purtscher Retinopathy and Necrotizing Vasculitis With Gemcitabine Therapy A 59-YEAR-OLD man with a 10-year history of diabetes had 2 months of decreasing visual acuity in both eyes. Ten months prior to being seen, the patient began treatment with gemcitabine hydrochloride for non-small-cell lung cancer and within 1 month developed a progressive ischemic peripheral vaso-occlusive disease involving the right fourth digit (Figure 1), the left first digit, left second digit, and the dorsal penis. Findings from an upper extremity arteriogram confirmed sluggish palmar arterial flow bilaterally, and laboratory studies revealed a Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of 117 and an antinuclear antibody ratio (ANA) of 1:1280. Gemcitabine administration was discontinued and oral prednisone administration was begun. The peripheral necrotic lesions were stabilized, and within 1 month the ESR was 38. However, the cutaneous lesions persisted with periodic exacerbations during the next 8 months, necessitating varying doses of corticosteroids for control. Figure 1. View LargeDownload Right fourth digit demonstrating proximal erythema and distal necrosis. Ocular examination revealed a visual acuity of 20/50 OD and counting fingers at 5 feet OS. The intraocular pressures were 12 mm Hg OD and 19 mm Hg OS. The anterior segments appeared normal in both eyes. Findings from fundus examination revealed cotton-wool spots and intraretinal hemorrhages in the posterior pole of each eye (Figure 2). The optic nerve and retinal periphery appeared unremarkable. Fluorescein angiography revealed mild macular nonperfusion in the right eye and extensive macular nonperfusion in the left eye. There was retinal capillary dropout nasal to the optic nerve head and peripheral to the vascular arcades in both eyes. A diagnosis of Purtscher-like retinopathy was made, and observation was recommended. The patient did not return for follow-up and died 1½ months later of respiratory failure secondary to pulmonary edema, metastatic lung cancer, and renal failure. An autopsy was not performed. Figure 2. View LargeDownload Fundus photograph of right eye demonstrating multiple confluent cotton-wool spots and intraretinal hemorrhage. The left eye had a similar appearance. Comment Gemcitabine is a nucleoside analogue used for osteosarcoma and non-small-cell lung, breast, transitional cell, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers. It has a relatively mild toxicity profile, and the most common hematologic adverse effects include thrombocytopenia and leukopenia.1 There are no reports of cutaneous or ocular vaso-occlusive disease in patients treated with gemcitabine. However, Gemcitabine (Eli Lilly and Co, Indianapolis, Ind) has structural similarities to the antimetabolite, cytarabine, which has been associated with a cutaneous necrotizing vasculitis in 2 patients with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia.2 Cutaneous histopathologic examination demonstrated dermal necrotizing vasculitis and vascular disruption in the absence of leukemic infiltration. No evidence of a systemic vasculitis, including ANA or ESR elevation, was present in either patient, and the authors postulated that cytarabine may cause endothelial toxic effects. In both patients, the cutaneous lesions resolved spontaneously within 1 week of completing cytarabine therapy. Purtscher retinopathy, initially described by Purtscher in 1910,3 has been reported in other clinical settings, including autoimmune disease. Elevated ANAs and ESRs were found in 11 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who developed severe retinal vaso-occlusive disease.4 Eight patients had concurrent central nervous system lupus, and immunofluorescent staining of brain biopsy specimens demonstrated immunoglobulin deposition within small blood vessels. Our case demonstrates that gemcitabine may induce a cutaneous and systemic vasculitis with ESR and ANA elevation, which in turn, may produce a Purtscher-like retinopathy. Although the presence of diabetes mellitus may have created a predisposition for vaso-occlusive retinal disease, the dramatic onset of these findings following the initiation of gemcitabine therapy suggests a causative role. Accepted for publication November 7, 1999. Reprints: George A. Williams, MD, Associated Retinal Consultants, PC, Suite 632, 3535 W Thirteen Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48073. References 1. Abratt RPBezwoda WRFalkson GGoedhals LHacking DRugg TA Efficacy and safety profile of gemcitabine in non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase II study. J Clin Oncol. 1994;121535- 1540Google Scholar 2. Ahmed IChen KRNakayama HGibson LE Cytosine arabinoside–induced vasculitis. Mayo Clin Proc. 1998;73239- 242Google ScholarCrossref 3. Williams DFMieler WFWilliams GA Posterior segment manifestations of ocular trauma. Retina. 1990;10(suppl)S35- S44Google ScholarCrossref 4. Jabs DAFine SLHochberg MCNewman SAHeiner GGStevens MB Severe retinal vaso-occlusive disease in systemic lupus erythematosus. Arch Ophthalmol. 1986;104558- 563Google ScholarCrossref http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Archives of Ophthalmology American Medical Association

Purtscher Retinopathy and Necrotizing Vasculitis With Gemcitabine Therapy

Loading next page...
 
/lp/american-medical-association/purtscher-retinopathy-and-necrotizing-vasculitis-with-gemcitabine-IqZpEHdkgZ

References (4)

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 2000 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0003-9950
eISSN
1538-3687
DOI
10.1001/archopht.118.5.726
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

A 59-YEAR-OLD man with a 10-year history of diabetes had 2 months of decreasing visual acuity in both eyes. Ten months prior to being seen, the patient began treatment with gemcitabine hydrochloride for non-small-cell lung cancer and within 1 month developed a progressive ischemic peripheral vaso-occlusive disease involving the right fourth digit (Figure 1), the left first digit, left second digit, and the dorsal penis. Findings from an upper extremity arteriogram confirmed sluggish palmar arterial flow bilaterally, and laboratory studies revealed a Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of 117 and an antinuclear antibody ratio (ANA) of 1:1280. Gemcitabine administration was discontinued and oral prednisone administration was begun. The peripheral necrotic lesions were stabilized, and within 1 month the ESR was 38. However, the cutaneous lesions persisted with periodic exacerbations during the next 8 months, necessitating varying doses of corticosteroids for control. Figure 1. View LargeDownload Right fourth digit demonstrating proximal erythema and distal necrosis. Ocular examination revealed a visual acuity of 20/50 OD and counting fingers at 5 feet OS. The intraocular pressures were 12 mm Hg OD and 19 mm Hg OS. The anterior segments appeared normal in both eyes. Findings from fundus examination revealed cotton-wool spots and intraretinal hemorrhages in the posterior pole of each eye (Figure 2). The optic nerve and retinal periphery appeared unremarkable. Fluorescein angiography revealed mild macular nonperfusion in the right eye and extensive macular nonperfusion in the left eye. There was retinal capillary dropout nasal to the optic nerve head and peripheral to the vascular arcades in both eyes. A diagnosis of Purtscher-like retinopathy was made, and observation was recommended. The patient did not return for follow-up and died 1½ months later of respiratory failure secondary to pulmonary edema, metastatic lung cancer, and renal failure. An autopsy was not performed. Figure 2. View LargeDownload Fundus photograph of right eye demonstrating multiple confluent cotton-wool spots and intraretinal hemorrhage. The left eye had a similar appearance. Comment Gemcitabine is a nucleoside analogue used for osteosarcoma and non-small-cell lung, breast, transitional cell, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers. It has a relatively mild toxicity profile, and the most common hematologic adverse effects include thrombocytopenia and leukopenia.1 There are no reports of cutaneous or ocular vaso-occlusive disease in patients treated with gemcitabine. However, Gemcitabine (Eli Lilly and Co, Indianapolis, Ind) has structural similarities to the antimetabolite, cytarabine, which has been associated with a cutaneous necrotizing vasculitis in 2 patients with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia.2 Cutaneous histopathologic examination demonstrated dermal necrotizing vasculitis and vascular disruption in the absence of leukemic infiltration. No evidence of a systemic vasculitis, including ANA or ESR elevation, was present in either patient, and the authors postulated that cytarabine may cause endothelial toxic effects. In both patients, the cutaneous lesions resolved spontaneously within 1 week of completing cytarabine therapy. Purtscher retinopathy, initially described by Purtscher in 1910,3 has been reported in other clinical settings, including autoimmune disease. Elevated ANAs and ESRs were found in 11 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who developed severe retinal vaso-occlusive disease.4 Eight patients had concurrent central nervous system lupus, and immunofluorescent staining of brain biopsy specimens demonstrated immunoglobulin deposition within small blood vessels. Our case demonstrates that gemcitabine may induce a cutaneous and systemic vasculitis with ESR and ANA elevation, which in turn, may produce a Purtscher-like retinopathy. Although the presence of diabetes mellitus may have created a predisposition for vaso-occlusive retinal disease, the dramatic onset of these findings following the initiation of gemcitabine therapy suggests a causative role. Accepted for publication November 7, 1999. Reprints: George A. Williams, MD, Associated Retinal Consultants, PC, Suite 632, 3535 W Thirteen Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48073. References 1. Abratt RPBezwoda WRFalkson GGoedhals LHacking DRugg TA Efficacy and safety profile of gemcitabine in non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase II study. J Clin Oncol. 1994;121535- 1540Google Scholar 2. Ahmed IChen KRNakayama HGibson LE Cytosine arabinoside–induced vasculitis. Mayo Clin Proc. 1998;73239- 242Google ScholarCrossref 3. Williams DFMieler WFWilliams GA Posterior segment manifestations of ocular trauma. Retina. 1990;10(suppl)S35- S44Google ScholarCrossref 4. Jabs DAFine SLHochberg MCNewman SAHeiner GGStevens MB Severe retinal vaso-occlusive disease in systemic lupus erythematosus. Arch Ophthalmol. 1986;104558- 563Google ScholarCrossref

Journal

Archives of OphthalmologyAmerican Medical Association

Published: May 1, 2000

Keywords: gemcitabine,purtscher's retinopathy,necrotizing vasculitis

There are no references for this article.