Objective To observe the multimodal image features of inflammatory lesions and choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in multifocal choroiditis (MFC). MethodsA retrospective clinical analysis. A total of 90 eyes of 46 patients with MFC diagnosed in the Department of Ophthalmology of Yunnan University Affiliated Hospital from May 2017 to April 2021 were included in the study. Among them, there were 21 males and 25 females; the average age was 38.30±8.97 years old. Twenty-nine cases of MFC were diagnosed in the past, and they visited the doctor again due to new symptoms; 17 cases without a clear past medical history were the first visits. All eyes underwent color fundus photography, fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCT angiography (OCTA). With reference to the literature and the results of multimodal fundus imaging examinations, MFC lesions were divided into active CNV lesions, inactive CNV lesions, active inflammatory lesions, and inactive inflammatory lesions, with 31 (34.4%, 31/90), 12 (13.3%, 12/90), 26 (28.9%, 26/90), 90 (100.0%, 90/90) eyes. Nineteen eyes were treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs. To summarize and analyze the manifestations of inflammatory lesions and CNV lesions in different imaging examinations. The Wilcoxon rank test was used to compare the detection rate of CNV lesions between FFA and OCTA. ResultsIn eyes with active inflammatory lesions and active CNV lesions, yellow-white lesions, retinal hemorrhage and exudation were seen on fundus color photography; FFA examination showed fluorescein leakage in the lesions; OCT examination showed retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layer in the lesions was uplifted, the boundary was unclear, combined with subretinal and intraretinal fluid; OCTA examination showed that there was no blood flow signal in each layer of vascular tissue in active inflammatory lesions, and blood flow signals were seen in active CNV lesions. In the eyes of inactive inflammatory lesions and inactive CNV lesions, the fundus color photography showed that the lesions had clear boundaries without bleeding or exudation; FFA examination, the lesions were fluorescently stained, and there was no fluorescein leakage; OCT examination, inactive CNV lesions manifested as raised lesions with clear boundaries, and inactive inflammation manifested as scars formed by mild RPE hyperplasia or depressions in outer structures formed by atrophy; OCTA examination, inactive inflammatory lesions showed patchy loss of blood flow signal or penetrating blood flow signal below, blood flow signal can be seen in inactive CNV lesions. ConclusionMFC active inflammatory lesions and active CNV lesions are often accompanied by retinal hemorrhage and exudation; FFA shows fluorescein leakage; OCT shows that the boundary of raised lesions is unclear; OCTA can identify the nature of CNV or inflammatory lesions.
Multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS) is an acute retinal disease characterized by multifocal white spots in the fundus often seen in the unilateral eye. The lesions mainly involve the retinal pigment epithelium and the outer retinal structure. Typical ocular manifestations of MEWDS include grayish-white outer retinal spots with a clear borderline identified on the fundus, findings of hyper-autofluorescence in the early stage consistent with the spots identified on the fundus, and the optical coherence tomography manifestation of multifocal disruption of the ellipsoid zone. With the rapid development of multimodal imaging technology, some scholars found that these manifestations are not exclusive to MEWDS as some types of chorioretinopathy can also show MEWDS-like changes. The etiology of these diseases may be inflammation, infection, immunity, or tumor-related, misdiagnosed by masquerading as MEWDS. Here we summarized the clinical manifestations and imaging features of MEWDS and reviewed the fundus lesions changes that can be misdiagnosed as MEWDS.
With high morbidity, branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) is a common retinal vascular disease in the clinic. Although the classic characteristics of BRVO have been recognized for a long time, the traditional understanding of BRVO has been challenged along with development and application of new imaging technologies, including the reasonable classification and staging of the disease, and the vascular characteristics at the occlusive site via multimodal imaging, etc. Thus, re-summarizing and refining these features as well as further improving and optimizing traditional imaging evaluation, can not only deepen the correct acknowledge of the entity, but also find biomarkers of prognosis of visual function, which is helpful to establish better diagnosis and treatment strategy. In the meanwhile, it is necessary that clinical characteristics of BRVO on imaging and the reliability of these imaging techniques are worth correct understanding and objective assessment.