Inflammatory disease Flashcards
Why does the body inflame?
• Catalyses flow of beneficial components (nutrients, oxygen)
• Facilitates transport of immune cells
- Neutralise invading microbes
- Initiate tissue repair
Timeline:
1. Brief vasoconstriction
2. Vasodilation
3. Increased blood vessel permeability
4. Tissue repair and scarring
Vasodilation:
• Increases blood flow to affected tissue
• Redness (Rubor) due to increased blood flow
• Raised temperature (Calor)
Increased blood vessel permeability:
• Fluid escapes from blood vessel
• Accumulates in surrounding tissue- swelling (Tumor)
• Swelling stimulates sensory nerves- pain (Dolor)
Oedema = Swelling
What is the episclera?
• Thin layer of connective tissue between bulbar conjunctival and sclera
• Outermost layer of the sclera
• Transparent, but embedded network of fine blood vessels
Episcleritis:
• Inflammation of episcleral tissue
• Common, most often affects younger adults (30-50 years old)
• Recurrent “Have you ever had anything like this before”
• Most cases are idiopathic
• Minority (<30%) associated with systemic inflammatory disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Systemic lupus
- Inflammatory bowel disease
Episcleritis - Symptoms
• Acute (sudden) onset (last day or two)
• Majority unilateral, although can be bilateral
• Redness often chief complaint
• Mild discomfort
• No pain (lack of sensory nerve endings in episclera)
• Vision unaffected
Simple episcleritis - Signs
• Hyperaemia
• Vasodilation
• Bright red blood vessels
• May be sectoral- confined to area
• Or diffuse (widespread)
Nodular episcleritis - Signs
• Minority of cases (approx. 20%)
• Raised lump within area of hyperaemia
• Conjunctiva bulges forward
• Displaces slit lamp beam
Episcleritis - Management
• Self-limiting condition
• Reassure: not sight-threatening, will resolve in 1-2 weeks
• Caution: recurrent condition
• Cold compresses : Promotes vasoconstriction
• Discomfort : Artificial tears for 1-2weeks
Episcleritis - Management: Beyond entry level (IP)
Anti-inflammatory medications:
• Topical Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
• Topical Steroids
• Systemic (Oral) NSAIDs
Scleritis:
• Severe inflammatory disease of sclera
• Relatively uncommon
• 40-60 years old
• M:F ratio = 2:3
• Some cases are idiopathic
• Stronger systemic association than episcleritis
• May be first sign of systemic disease
Scleritis - Symptoms:
Unilateral, but up to 50% cases bilateral
• Redness
• PAIN
- Moderate-severe
- Interferes with sleep
- Radiates to temple and brow
- Minimal relief with over-the-counter analgesics
- Worse on eye movement and with touch
• Gradual onset- develops slowly, over a few days
• Epiphora
• Vision may be affected
Types of scleritis:
Anterior Scleritis (90%)
• Non-Necrotising (75%)
> Diffuse (60%)
> Nodular (40%)
• Necrotising (15%)
> With inflammation
> Without inflammation
• Posterior scleritis (10%)
Anterior scleritis: Non-Necrotising (75%); Diffuse (60%)
• Hyperaemia
• Rich, deep red colour (with purplish hue)
• Always measure monocular VA
• Best prognosis, lowest risk of permanent visual impairment
Anterior scleritis: Non-Necrotising (75%); Nodular (60%)
• Hyperaemia
• Rich, deep red colour (with purplish hue)
• Fixed nodule
How to determine if its scleritis or episcleritis?
• Phenylephrine (2.5% or 10%) + 5 minutes
- Sympathomimetic (Mydriatic- iris dilator muscle)
- Vasoconstrictor: superficial conjunctival/episcleral vessels
• If redness blanches - episcleritis (or conjunctivitis)
• If redness persists - scleritis
• Also: Check VA (episcleritis does not reduce VA)
Anterior Scleritis: Necrotising with inflammation; Signs
• Necrosis: premature tissue death due to injury or disease
• Aggressive and severe
• Hyperaemia- rich, deep red colour (with purplish hue)
• Patches of avascular tissue
• Progressive scleral thinning
• Exposes underlying uvea (dark blue-grey tinge)
Anterior Scleritis: Necrotising without inflammation;
Signs
• Scleromalacia Perforans
• Females with rheumatoid arthritis
• No hyperaemia
• Often asymptomatic- no pain!
Describe Posterior scleritis
• No visible redness
• Moderate-to-severe pain
• Vision: loss or distortion
Dilated funds examination:
• Choroidal folds
• Advanced imaging (ultrasound, CT scan)
• Up to 40% also have anterior scleritis
Scleritis - Management
• Emergency referral (same day) to Ophthalmologist
• Emphasise urgency- best outcome with early treatment
• Systemic investigations
Anti-Inflammatory Medications:
• Topical Steroids
e.g. Prednisolone acetate (1%) Pred Forte
• Systemic (Oral) NSAIDs
e.g. Flurbiprofen (100mg)
• Systemic Steroids
e.g. Prednisolone (oral tablets)
Uvea:
• Iris
• Ciliary Body
• Choroid
Types of uveitis:
• Anterior Uveitis: Iris and (anterior) Ciliary Body
• Intermediate Uveitis: (posterior) Ciliary Body, Anterior Vitreous, Peripheral Retina/ Choroid
• Posterior Uveitis: Vitreous and Retina Choroid
• Panuveitis: All uvea
Anterior uveitis:
• Iritis and Iridocyclitis
• Most common sub-type: 75% of cases
• Not uncommon: 12 per 100,000 people per year
• Mean age: 40 years old
• Many cases are idiopathic (approx. 50%)
• Associated with systemic inflammatory diseases
Anterior uveitis: Symptoms
• Generally unilateral
• Pain
- Aching, dull, throbbing, Sudden onset (first episode)
• Recurrent disease
• Photophobia; light or near work
• Miosis
• Redness
• Reduced vision (depends on severity)
• Lacrimation
