Frosted branch angiitis presenting after a SARS-CoV-2 infection

Abstract

Abstract Purpose To report a case of frosted branch angiitis presenting in a pediatric patient with unremarkable laboratory work-up apart from SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. Observations Less than four weeks after a SARS-CoV-2 infection, a 10 year-old female presented to the emergency department with severe headache and intermittent fevers. During her hospital admission, the ophthalmology service was consulted for blurry vision. Subsequent eye examination revealed frosted branch angiitis. The patient initially received intravenous corticosteroids but was escalated to plasmapheresis to achieve resolution of her symptoms. Outpatient maintenance therapy consisted of an oral Prednisone taper and Infliximab infusion. Conclusion and importance This case represents a unique ocular manifestation of COVID-19, as recent SARS-CoV-2 was the sole identifiable cause of the patient’s frosted branch angiitis. Additionally, this patient required plasmapheresis to control disease progression.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• FROSTED-branch
• Vasculitis