Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome and ulcerative colitis

South Med J. 2004 Feb;97(2):169-71. doi: 10.1097/01.SMJ.0000100263.99708.10.

Abstract

The Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome is an uncommon disorder characterized by uveitis and neurologic and cutaneous abnormalities, including tinnitus, vertigo, headache, meningoencephalitis, vitiligo, alopecia, and poliosis. The VKH syndrome has been reported to occur in association with other autoimmune disorders. We report a case of a patient with severe ulcerative colitis who developed VKH syndrome. We postulate that the patient's history of a traumatic brain injury might have been responsible for an abnormal "immunologic milieu" and the occurrence of ulcerative colitis, VKH syndrome, and severe reactive arthritis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alopecia / chemically induced
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / complications*
  • Glucocorticoids / adverse effects
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prednisone / adverse effects
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome / complications*
  • Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome / physiopathology

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Prednisone