Bilateral panuveitis associated with Whipple disease – case report

Purpose: To describe a clinical case and literature review of Whipple disease. Methods: A 65-year-old male with bilateral decreased visual acuity for 3 weeks as well as bilateral hypoacusia, vertigo, disequilibrium, headache and decreased strength in the right upper limb for 4 months. The clinical work-up revealed a bilateral panuveitis and an ischemic cerebellar stroke. Result: The diagnosis of Whipple disease was confirmed by histopathological analysis of adenopathy. The patient was treated with cortico-antibiotic therapy with significant clinical improvement. Conclusion: Although rare, Whipple disease is potentially fatal if left untreated, it must be always be taken into consideration before any panuveitis of an unknown cause, even in the absence of gastrointestinal symptoms.