A 45-year-old man presents with bilateral panuveitis, poliosis, vitiligo, alopecia, and hearing impairment. He also reports a history of meningism two months ago. Which condition best explains this constellation of findings?
- A Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome ✓
- B Behcet disease
- C Sympathetic ophthalmia
- D Sarcoidosis
Correct answer: A. Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome
Explanation
Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome is a T-cell mediated autoimmune condition targeting melanocyte-rich tissues. It classically presents in four phases: prodromal (meningism, fever), uveitic (bilateral panuveitis with exudative retinal detachments), convalescent, and chronic recurrent. Integumentary findings — poliosis (whitening of eyelashes/brow), vitiligo, alopecia — along with sensorineural hearing loss and cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis are hallmarks. Behcet disease causes hypopyon uveitis and oral/genital ulcers.
Reference: Khurana Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.