Which finding is NOT an ocular finding commonly associated with Purtscher's retinopathy?

Which finding is NOT an ocular finding commonly associated with Purtscher's retinopathy?

• A. Sea fan neovascularization
• B. Cotton wool spots
• C. Diffuse retinal hemorrhages
• D. Exudates

Answer: (A)

Purtscher's retinopathy is an acute occlusive microangiopathy that follows a systemic event, leading to retinal ischemia. The retina typically shows cotton-wool spots from nerve fiber layer infarcts, retinal hemorrhages, and sometimes edema or exudates as vessels leak. Neovascularization, especially sea-fan shaped proliferative vessels, arises from chronic or more extensive ischemia and is not a common feature of Purtscher's. Sea-fan neovascularization is classically associated with proliferative retinopathies like sickle cell disease, not the acute microvascular occlusion seen in Purtscher's. Therefore, the finding not commonly associated with Purtscher's retinopathy is sea-fan neovascularization. The other findings—cotton-wool spots, diffuse retinal hemorrhages, and exudates—fit the typical presentation.

Purtscher's retinopathy is an acute occlusive microangiopathy that follows a systemic event, leading to retinal ischemia. The retina typically shows cotton-wool spots from nerve fiber layer infarcts, retinal hemorrhages, and sometimes edema or exudates as vessels leak. Neovascularization, especially sea-fan shaped proliferative vessels, arises from chronic or more extensive ischemia and is not a common feature of Purtscher's. Sea-fan neovascularization is classically associated with proliferative retinopathies like sickle cell disease, not the acute microvascular occlusion seen in Purtscher's. Therefore, the finding not commonly associated with Purtscher's retinopathy is sea-fan neovascularization. The other findings—cotton-wool spots, diffuse retinal hemorrhages, and exudates—fit the typical presentation.