Kayser-Fleischer ring 732615 223464683 2008-07-04T05:07:41Z Kyle the bot 3115531 robot Adding: [[fr:Anneaux de Kayser-Fleischer]] {{Infobox_Disease | Name = Kayser-Fleischer ring | Image = Kayser-Fleischer ring.jpg| Caption = A Kayser-Fleischer ring in a 32-year-old patient who had longstanding speech difficulties and [[tremor]].| DiseasesDB = 30056 | ICD10 = {{ICD10|H|18|0|h|15}} | ICD9 = {{ICD9|371.14}} | ICDO = | OMIM = | MedlinePlus = | eMedicineSubj = | eMedicineTopic = | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | }} '''Kayser-Fleischer rings''' (KF rings) are dark rings that appear to encircle the [[iris (anatomy)|iris]] of the [[eye]]. They are due to [[copper]] deposition as a result of particular liver diseases.<ref name=McDonnell/> They are named after Dr Bernhard Kayser and Dr Bruno Fleischer, the [[Germany|German]] doctors who first described them in 1902 and 1903.<ref>{{cite journal | author=Kayser B | title=Über einen Fall von angeborener grünlicher Verfärbung des Cornea | journal=Klin Monatsbl Augenheilk | year=1902 | volume=40 | issue=2 | pages=22–25}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | author=Fleischer B | title=Zwei weitere Fälle von grünlicher Verfärbung der Kornea | journal=Klin Monatsbl Augenheilk | year=1903 | volume=41 | issue=1 | pages=489–491}}</ref><ref>{{WhoNamedIt|synd|1758}}</ref> Initially thought to be due to the accumulation of silver, they were first demonstrated to contain copper in 1934.<ref>{{cite journal | author=Gerlach W, Rohrschneider W | title=Besteht das Pigment des Kayser-Fleischerschen Hornhautringes aus Silber? | journal=Klin Wochenschr | year=1934 | volume=13 | pages=48–49 | doi=10.1007/BF01799043}}</ref> ==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.<ref name=McDonnell>{{cite journal |author=McDonnell G, Esmonde T |title=A homesick student |journal=Postgrad Med J |volume=75 |issue=884 |pages=375–8 |year=1999 |pmid=10435182 | url=http://pmj.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/75/884/375}}</ref> ==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.<ref>{{GPnotebook|-1684406263}}</ref><ref name=McDonnell/> ==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]], [[cirrhosis|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.<ref name=McDonnell/> Other causes of KF rings are [[cholestasis]] (obstruction of the [[bile duct]]s), [[primary biliary cirrhosis]] and "cryptogenic" cirrhosis (cirrhosis in which no cause can be identified).<ref name=McDonnell/> ==References== <references/> {{Eye pathology}} {{Eponymous medical signs for nervous system}} [[Category:Ophthalmology]] [[de:Kayser-Fleischer-Kornealring]] [[fr:Anneaux de Kayser-Fleischer]] [[he:טבעת קייזר-פליישר]] [[no:Kayser-Fleischer ring]] [[pl:Pierścień Kaysera-Fleischera]] [[pt:Anel de Kayser-Fleischer]] [[ru:Кольца Кайзера-Флейшера]]