Macular oedema following rituximab infusion in two patients with Wegener's granulomatosis

CER720
2010 Vol.28, N°1 ,Suppl.57
PI 0090, PF 0092
Case Reports

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PMID: 20412711 [PubMed]

Received: 17/11/2009
Accepted : 16/02/2010
In Press: 22/04/2010
Published: 22/04/2010

Abstract

Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody now widely used to treat autoimmune diseases, has been reported to be effective against refractory Wegener`s granulomatosis and its ophthalmic involvement. Herein, we report on 2 patients with refractory Wegener`s granulomatosis and scleritis in whom cystoid macular oedema occurred several weeks after rituximab infusions. Notably, scleritis had already resolved when macular oedema was diagnosed. One patient`s macular oedema was successfully treated with a subtenon injection of triamcinolone but recurred soon after she received a second cycle of rituximab as maintenance therapy. To our knowledge, to date no ophthalmic side effect has been reported after rituximab administration. The short time between each rituximab infusion and the onset of cystoid macular oedema strongly suggests a causal link.