Optic Disc Edema, Cystoid Macular Edema, and Elevated Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in a Patient With POEMS Syndrome

Abstract

A 48-year-old man with polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome had bilateral optic disc edema (ODE), bilateral cystoid macular edema (CME), anasarca, and elevated serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This is the first reported example of ophthalmoscopic, angiographic, and optical coherence tomographic evidence of the combination of ODE and CME in this syndrome. This combination of features suggests that the ODE in this condition may be due to increased vascular permeability.