Diplopia as the herald of fulminant myocarditis in undifferentiated connective tissue disease: a case report - Summary - MDSpire

Diplopia as the herald of fulminant myocarditis in undifferentiated connective tissue disease: a case report

  • By

  • Yongqi Chen

  • Yinping Li

  • Rui Zhang

  • Xiaokang Liu

  • Jingwen Zhang

  • Ning Zhai

  • Hanheng Zuo

  • Xueying Chen

  • June 4, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To report a rare case of undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD)-associated fulminant myocarditis presenting with isolated diplopia as the sole initial manifestation, highlighting its rarity.

Key Findings:
  • Isolated diplopia as the sole initial manifestation of UCTD-associated fulminant myocarditis is exceedingly rare, emphasizing the need for awareness among clinicians.
  • Endomyocardial biopsy is crucial for guiding treatment in autoimmune myocarditis, as it provides definitive diagnosis.
  • Premature tapering of corticosteroids can lead to rapid relapse, underscoring the importance of careful management.
Interpretation:

The case highlights the diagnostic challenges of atypical presentations in UCTD and the critical importance of adequate corticosteroid dosing and slow tapering to prevent relapse.

Limitations:
  • The study is based on a single case report, limiting generalizability and the ability to draw broader conclusions.
  • Lack of formal clinical practice guidelines for UCTD complicates treatment approaches and may lead to variability in management.
Conclusion:

The patient remained in remission at three-year follow-up, with complete resolution of diplopia and normalization of cardiac enzyme profile, reinforcing the need for vigilance in recognizing atypical presentations.

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