Characterization of Syphilitic Chorioretinitis as a White Dot Syndrome with Multimodal Imaging: Case Series

TL;DR

This study uses advanced imaging to show that syphilitic chorioretinitis can be classified as a white dot syndrome, aiding in its diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

Contribution

The study classifies syphilitic chorioretinitis as a white dot syndrome using multimodal imaging, particularly ultra-widefield fundus autofluorescence.

Findings

UWFAF revealed hyperautofluorescent white dots and spots in all five eyes with syphilitic chorioretinitis.

Hyperautofluorescence resolved after treatment with intravenous penicillin.

Classic placoid lesions were not observed in two of the five eyes.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: To investigate the role of multimodal imaging, including ultra-widefield fundus autofluorescence (UWFAF), in diagnosing and monitoring syphilitic chorioretinitis, focusing on the detection of placoid appearance and white dots/spots. We aim to classify syphilitic chorioretinitis as a white dot syndrome, given evident features in the context of recent case reports and previously unavailable multimodal imaging. Methods: This single-institution study was conducted as a consecutive, observational case series. Five eyes from three patients were diagnosed with syphilitic chorioretinitis using multimodal imaging, including ultra-widefield pseudocolor fundus photography and intravenous fluorescein angiography, UWFAF, and swept-source optical coherence tomography, upon laboratory results. Results: In all five eyes with serologically confirmed syphilitic chorioretinitis, UWFAF revealed hyperautofluorescent white dots and spots scattered in the fundus, a finding minimally apparent with fluorescein angiography. Two eyes did not show evidence of classic placoid lesions. The hyperautofluorescence resolved after standard neurosyphilis treatment with intravenous course of penicillin. Conclusions: The presence of dots and spots identified through UWFAF may indicate syphilitic chorioretinitis and support its classification as a white dot syndrome. Based on the presence of hyperautofluorescent placoid lesions in some but not all cases with dots and spots, this study highlights the utility of multimodal imaging, including the more recent availability of UWFAF, in diagnosing syphilitic chorioretinitis. Future research is needed to determine whether the dots and spots in syphilitic chorioretinitis represent direct spirochete infiltration or a secondary inflammatory response.

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