Kayser–Fleischer ring

Kayser-Fleischer ring

A Kayser-Fleischer ring in a 32-year-old patient who had longstanding speech difficulties and tremor.
Classification and external resources
Specialty ophthalmology
ICD-10 H18.0
ICD-9-CM 371.14
DiseasesDB 30056

Kayser–Fleischer rings (KF rings) are dark rings that appear to encircle the iris of the eye. They are due to copper deposition in part of the cornea (Descemet's membrane) as a result of particular liver diseases.[1] They are named after Dr. Bernhard Kayser and Dr. Bruno Fleischer, the German doctors who first described them in 1902 and 1903.[2][3][4] Initially thought to be due to the accumulation of silver, they were first demonstrated to contain copper in 1934.[5]

Detection

As Kayser–Fleischer rings do not cause any symptoms, it is common for them to be identified during investigations for other medical conditions. In certain situations, they are actively sought; in that case, the early stages may be detected by slit lamp examination before they become visible to the naked eye.[1]

Appearance

The rings, which consist of copper deposits where the cornea meets the sclera, in Descemet's membrane, first appear as a crescent at the top of the cornea. Eventually, a second crescent forms below, at 6 o'clock, and ultimately completely encircles the cornea.[1][6]

Associations

Kayser–Fleischer rings are a sign of Wilson's disease, which involves abnormal copper handling by the liver resulting in copper accumulation in the body and is characterised by abnormalities of the basal ganglia of the brain, liver cirrhosis, splenomegaly, involuntary movements, muscle rigidity, psychiatric disturbances, dystonia and dysphagia. The combination of neurological symptoms, a low blood ceruloplasmin level and KF rings is diagnostic of Wilson's disease.[1]

Other causes of KF rings are cholestasis (obstruction of the bile ducts), primary biliary cirrhosis and "cryptogenic" cirrhosis (cirrhosis in which no cause can be identified).[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 McDonnell G, Esmonde T (1999). "A homesick student". Postgrad Med J 75 (884): 375–8. doi:10.1136/pgmj.75.884.375. PMC 1741256. PMID 10435182.
  2. ↑ Kayser B (1902). "Über einen Fall von angeborener grünlicher Verfärbung des Cornea". Klin Monatsbl Augenheilk 40 (2): 22–25.
  3. ↑ Fleischer B (1903). "Zwei weitere Fälle von grünlicher Verfärbung der Kornea". Klin Monatsbl Augenheilk 41 (1): 489–491.
  4. ↑ synd/1758 at Who Named It?
  5. ↑ Gerlach W, Rohrschneider W (1934). "Besteht das Pigment des Kayser-Fleischerschen Hornhautringes aus Silber?". Klin Wochenschr 13: 48–49. doi:10.1007/BF01799043.
  6. ↑ -1684406263 at GPnotebook
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