Unilateral papillitis and exudative retinal detachment : an unusual manifestation of ocular syphilis

الملخص EN

The common and typical posterior segment mani¬festations of ocular syphilis are choroiditis, retinitis and retinal vasculitis but since syphilis has a tendency to masquerade any uveitis entity it should be ruled out in all cases of posterior uveitis.

We describe an uncommon case of unilateral papillitis and exudative retinal detach¬ment where syphilis was initially a remote possibility.

Systemic steroids seemed to make the clinical situation worse.

Then a single positive serological test for syphilis (TPABS) suggested ocular syphilis.

Complete resolution was obtained with an anti-syphilis antibiotic regimen.