Kayser-Fleischer ring

J Postgrad Med. 2008 Jul-Sep;54(3):238-40. doi: 10.4103/0022-3859.41816.

Abstract

Kayser-Fleischer (K-F) ring seen in Wilson's disease (WD) is due to copper deposition in the Descemet's membrane in the sclero-corneal junction. Although believed to be pathognomic of WD, it may be seen in many other hepatic conditions and intraocular copper-containing foreign bodies. The K-F ring detected in pre-symptomatic cases of WD may lead to speedy diagnosis and early management. Co-relation of K-F ring in WD to the disease severity, disappearance with successful treatment, reappearance with non-compliant treatment may aid in optimum management of WD. The importance of K-F ring detection in first-degree relatives of the index case cannot be over-emphasized.

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / genetics
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / metabolism
  • Cation Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Cation Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Chelation Therapy
  • Copper / metabolism
  • Copper-Transporting ATPases
  • Corneal Diseases / etiology*
  • Corneal Diseases / metabolism
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / diagnosis*
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / drug therapy
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / genetics
  • Humans
  • Hyperpigmentation / etiology*
  • Hyperpigmentation / pathology
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Mutation

Substances

  • Cation Transport Proteins
  • Copper
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases
  • Copper-Transporting ATPases