Curious case of bilateral non-resolving vitritis - Unmasking the masquerade on ultra-widefield imaging

BACKGROUND: Recognizing vitreous haze (VH) patterns on ultra-widefield imaging (UWFI) in nonresolving vitritis can reduce delay in suspecting vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL) and in performing an early vitreous biopsy for definitive diagnosis. PURPOSE: To demonstrate role of UWFI in providing a clue for suspecting VRL in case of bilateral nonresolving dense vitritis and demonstrate precautions for high yield of lymphoma cells on vitreous biopsy. SYNOPSIS: A 52-year-old healthy phakic lady came with gradual, painless blurred vision OS>OD for 6 months.Treated elsewhere for OU vitritis with steroids (local and systemic), anti-tubercular therapy for 2 months, and azathioprine, she had no improvement. Presenting best-corrected visual acuty was counting fingers OD and hand movement OS. Anterior segment OU was quiet. Fundus showed OD 3+ and OS 4+ vireous haze (VH). UWFI showed “aurora borealis” pattern of VH (OS>OD) and “string of pearls” OD. Ultrasonography B-scan OU showed complete posterior vitreous detachment and attached retina. OU VRL was suspected. MRI brain and orbit with contrast was found to be normal. After stopping steroids for 2 weeks, OS underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and intravitreal (IV) methotrexate 400 mcg/0.1 ml + rituximab 1mg/0.1ml. Vitreous sample sent for cytology and immunohistochemistry showed diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkins lymphoma with CD20 and MUM1-positive cells. OD underwent two IV rituximab injections at monthly interval initially followed by PPV with IV rituximab and methotrexate. The patient remained in remission during close follow-up. Recognizing VH patterns on UWFI can reduce the delay in the diagnosis of VRL and early initiation of treatment. HIGHLIGHTS: VH patterns in VRL depend on state of vitreous liquefaction and syneresis.Aurora borealis pattern on UWFI results from linear opacities with lymphoma cells uniformly aligned along formed vitreous fibrils.String of pearls pattern results from clumps of lymphoma cells and inflammatory material over the scaffold of vitreous fibrils.These patterns provide high index of suspicion for considering VRL as d iagnosis.IV rituximab has minimal side effects and has been effective in managing VRL with isolated ocular involvement. VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/uTplGPStmrM