Ulcerative colitis associated with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease

• Published in: Gastroenterología y hepatología Vol. 32; no. 5; p. 343
• Main Authors: de la Poza Gómez, Gema, López-San Román, Antonio, Masjuan Vallejo, Jaime, Arranz de la Mata, Gemma, Angueira Lapeña, Teresa, Boixeda de Miquel, Daniel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Spain 01-05-2009
• Subjects: Adult; Colitis, Ulcerative - etiology; Female; Humans; Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome - complications
• ISSN: 0210-5705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gastrohep.2008.11.009

We report the case of a female patient who was diagnosed with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease at the age of 14 years and who developed myelopathy, resulting in paraparesis. A cerebral magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed the presence of T2-hyperintense lesions in the periventricular white matter, suggesting demyelinization. Twelve years later, ulcerative colitis was diagnosed during workup for abdominal pain associated with bloody diarrhea. The association of these two diseases has previously been reported anecdotically. The management of the ulcerative colitis was complicated by the patient's neurological manifestations. Even though recent reports support the use of anti-TNF drugs in the management of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-associated uveitis, because of the lack of experience in patients with neurological symptoms, and the presence of apparently demyelinating lesions in our patient, we did not use these drugs in this case.