While examining a patient whom you suspect may have a thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) based on familial history, which of the following ocular abnormalities may you expect to find during your physical exam?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Iris flocculi and livedo reticularis are both physical findings associated with individuals with familial TAAD although, livedo reticularis is not an ocular finding which makes C the correct answer. Livedo reticularis manifests as a purplish skin discoloration in a lacy pattern caused by constriction of deep dermal capillaries. Iris flocculi is seen when the central iris pigmented epithelial cysts undergo cycles of collapse and reformation resulting in wrinkled masses along the pupillary border. Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited, degenerative eye disease that causes severe vision impairment due to the progressive degeneration of the rod photoreceptor cells in the retina and is not associated with aortic aneurysms or dissections. A pinguecula is seen as a yellow-white deposit on the conjunctiva adjacent to the junction between the cornea and sclera also unrelated to aortic aneurysms or dissections.

While Examining a Patient Whom You Suspect May Have a Thoracic