Role of high-resolution computerized tomography chest in identifying tubercular etiology in patients diagnosed as Eales’ disease

BACKGROUND The high resolution computerized tomography of chest is an important diagnostic imaging tool to identify any pulmonary tubercular lesion. It's role in Eales' disease to identify any possible association with pulomonary tuberculosis has not been studied earlier. So, this study was conducted to assess the role of high resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) chest in identifying tuberculous etiology in Eales' disease. RESULTS It was a retrospective study conducted at a tertiary care eye hospital in South India between January 2009 and October 2014 were included. A total of 29 diagnosed cases of Eales' (24 male and 5 female) were included in the study. These patients were followed up for a mean period of 739.75 days. Out of them, 13 (44.8%) had bilateral and 16 (55.2%) had unilateral ocular involvement. Eight cases (34.5%) patients had vitreous inflammation. Mantoux test was positive in 12 (41.4%) cases and chest x-ray suggestive of TB was present in four cases (13.8%). QuantiFERON TB gold was positive in 15 (51.7%) and HRCT chest suggestive of TB was positive in 15 (51.7%) case. Out of 15 Eales' cases with positive HRCT scan suggestive of TB, the commonly noted lesions were calcified nodules 34.5%, mediastinal hilar lymphadenopathy 13.8%, parenchymal soft tissue lesions in 3.4%. Five (17.2%) cases underwent pars plana vitrectomy for non resolving vitreous hemorrhage and one case underwent retinal attachment surgery with encirclage. Six patients were started on 9 months regimen of ATT by the chest physician. Final visual outcome improved in 17(40.5%) eyes, maintained in 21(50%) eyes but vision deterioration in 7(16.7%) eyes. CONCLUSIONS HRCT chest is an important diagnostic tool to rule out pulmonary tuberculosis in Eales' disease.