Confocal Biomicroscopy AIDS Early Detection of Wilson’s Disease: A Case Report

Purpose: To report a case of asymptomatic Wilson’s disease (WD) in which the identification of a Kayser-Fleischer (K-F) ring and its characterization by confocal biomicroscopy led to the diagnosis. Methods: Case report. Results: Confocal biomicroscopy showed clustered, highly reflective, and round foci in Descemet’s membrane, which we believed to be depositions of copper in this patient with asymptomatic WD. Conclusion: WD is characterized by toxic copper accumulation that can result in irreversible organ damage, neurologic deficit, and even death. Patients concurrent WD and hepatitis B show aggregate manifestations and worse prognosis than those of patients with WD alone. Hence, early diagnosis and treatment of WD are important in populations with high hepatitis B prevalence. The presence of a K-F ring is a pathognomonic sign of WD but is often confused as a sign of another disease such as corneal dystrophy or toxic or metabolic disorder. Early use of confocal biomicroscopy prior to a traditional serum test, urine assay, and liver biopsy may provide a fast, accurate, and non-invasive method to detect WD and potentially save a patient’s life. [Shih-Min Lin, Jy-Been Liang, Ke-Hung Chien, Yi-Hao Chen, Jiann-Torng Chen , Da-Wen Lu, Chi-Ting Horng. Confocal Biomicroscopy AIDS Early Detection of Wilson’s Disease: A Case Report. Life Sci J 2014;11(1):256258]. (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 38