Alezzandrini's Syndrome

Loss of pigmentation is noted around the left eye of a 49-year-old African-American man-the same eye in which he has a detached retina. In addition, the patient's hearing is impaired on that side. These findings are consistent with the diagnosis of Alezzandrini's syndrome, the major manifestations of which include unilateral degenerative retinitis, ipsilateral facial vitiligo, poliosis of the eyebrows and eyelashes, and ipsilateral hearing deficits. Young adults are most commonly affected. Drs Charles E. Crutchfield III and Eric J. Lewis of Minneapolis sent this photograph.