Involvement of circulatory disturbance in optic disk melanocytoma with visual dysfunction

Alterations in choroidal circulatory dynamics and choroidal thickness before and after treatment in posterior scleritis

BACKGROUND

Posterior scleritis is an inflammatory reaction of the sclera that occurs posterior to the ora serrata. The aim of this study was to present a case of posterior scleritis and to analyze choroidal circulatory and structural changes using laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) and optical coherence tomography (OCT), respectively.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 64-year-old man presented to our department because of hyperemia of the left eye for one week, diplopia, ocular pain, and distorted vision when looking leftward. At an initial examination, his best-corrected visual acuity was 1.0 Oculi uterque (OU), with mild conjunctival hyperemia oculus dexter (OD) and marked ciliary hyperemia oculus sinister (OS). Color fundus photographs revealed a cluster of choroidal folds extending from the macula to the inferior retinal region OS. Swept-Source OCT showed choroidal thickening OD, and bacillary layer detachment and paracentral middle maculopathy on the paracentral side of the optic nerve papilla, suggesting severe inflammation. Fluorescein angiography showed hyperfluorescence in the optic disc and window defects around the macula OU. Indocyanine green angiography showed mottled choroidal vascular hyperpermeability findings in the late stage. B-mode echography displayed thickening of the posterior wall of the left eye. Orbital magnetic resonance imaging showed the thickened posterior eyeball. The patient was diagnosed with posterior scleritis, and 30 mg of oral prednisolone was then given and tapered off over the next 4 months. The hyperemia and intraocular inflammation resolved after the treatment. The rate of change in macular blood flow assessed by the mean blur rate on LSFG was 20.5% and 20.2% decrease OD and OS, respectively, before and after treatment. The central choroidal thickness showed 8.8% and 37.8% decrease OD and OS, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Posterior scleritis complicated with choroiditis was suggested to show different choroidal circulatory dynamics from those in other choroidal inflammations.

Alterations of choroidal circulation and choroidal thickness before and after chemoradiotherapy in a case of metastatic choroidal tumor

BACKGROUND

Metastatic choroidal tumors are hematogenous intraocular metastases of malignant tumors in systemic organs; however, the details of choroidal circulation and morphological changes in the choroid are unknown. The aim of this study is to present a case of metastatic choroidal tumor and examine laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG)-based choroidal circulation and central choroidal thickness (CCT) before and after chemoradiotherapy.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 66-year-old woman with a medical history of breast cancer 16 years ago was referred to our department struggling with blurred vision in her right eye. At the time of initial examination, her best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.4 oculus dexter (OD) and 0.9 oculus sinister. Fundus revealed a yellowish-white choroidal elevated lesion measuring 8 papillary diameters with serous retinal detachment (SRD) in the posterior pole. Fluorescein angiography showed diffuse hyperfluorescence and fluorescent leakage due to SRD, and indocyanine green angiography demonstrated no abnormalities in the macula but hypofluorescence in the center of the tumor. Based on these clinical findings, she was diagnosed with metastatic choroidal tumor. After chemoradiotherapy, the metastatic choroidal tumor became scarred, and SRD disappeared. The rate of changes in macular blood flows assessed by mean blur rate on LSFG and CCT of her right eye were 33.8 and 32.8% decrease at 5 months after the initial visit, respectively. BCVA was 0.5 OD 27 months after the initial examination.

CONCLUSION

Chemoradiotherapy resulted in regression of the metastatic choroidal tumor and disappearance of SRD, with a decrease in central choroidal blood flow and CCT. The choroidal blood flow on LSFG could reflect an increased oxygen demand by cancer cells invading the choroid and substantial blood supply.

A case of choroidal melanocytosis observed by multimodal imaging with laser speckle flowgraphy

BACKGROUND

Choroidal melanocytosis is characterized by congenital diffuse melanin pigmentation with extensive parenchymal infiltration of spindle cells in the choroid; however, little is known about the choroidal circulation and morphological changes. We herein report a case of choroidal melanocytosis observed by multimodal imaging with laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG).

CASE PRESENTATION

A 56-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of serous retinal detachment (SRD) in her left eye. At the initial examination, her best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 1.5 oculus dexter (OD) and 0.8 oculus sinister (OS). An irregular, flat, brownish lesion was noted around the macula OS. Optical coherence tomography showed a choroidal structure with marked hyporeflectivity and SRD where the retinal thickness was preserved. Indocyanine green angiography demonstrated fluorescence blockade throughout. Fundus autofluorescence revealed enlarged macular hypofluorescence, suggesting chronic retinal pigment epithelium damage associated with prolonged SRD. B-mode echography showed no choroidal elevation. Based on the clinical findings, the left eye was diagnosed with choroidal melanocytosis. Four years and 10 months after the initial visit, her BCVA was 0.5 and SRD remained. During the entire period of observation, the mean blur rate (MBR) (mean ± standard deviation) of choroidal blood flow velocity on LSFG was 10.15 ± 0.72 arbitrary units (AU) OD and 1.31 ± 0.06 AU OS.

CONCLUSION

Choroidal melanocytosis presented with chronic minor circulatory disturbances due to melanocyte proliferation in the choroid, but the markedly low MBR values by LSFG were dissociated from her retinal thickness and visual function. The proliferation of melanocytes may be a cause of overestimating the cold-color signal of LSFG due to their pigmentation.

Evaluation of blood vessel network formation and visual field defect in optic disc melanocytoma

AIM

To investigate the association between visual field defects and blood vessel network (BVN) formation in optic disc melanocytomas (ODMs) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

METHODS

Single-centre, retrospective case series of 32 eyes of 32 patients with ODM, in which eyes were divided into two groups based on complete and incomplete BVN formations.

RESULTS

OCTA revealed incomplete BVN formation in 16 of 32 ODMs. The location of BVN absence corresponded to the location of hypofluorescence from fluorescein angiography (FA) in 12 (75%) and to the location of visual field defect in 13 (81%) ODMs in the incomplete BVN group. Perimetric indices were significantly worse in the incomplete BVN group than in the complete BVN group. Linear regression of mean deviation (MD) and Visual Field Index (VFI) on the area of BVN absence were statistically significant (p=0.01 and p=0.003, respectively), whereas linear regressions of MD and VFI on the tumour area were not statistically significant (both p=0.09) in the incomplete BVN group.

CONCLUSION

The location of BVN absence within ODMs corresponded to the location of visual field defect and the location of FA hypofluorescence. Visual field defect was more severe in the incomplete BVN group than in the complete BVN group. Visual field defect was more significantly associated with the area of BVN absence than the tumour area.

Ocular circulation change in optic disc melanocytoma - a case report and a review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Ocular circulation in optic disc melanocytoma (ODM) has not yet been well evaluated. We quantitatively evaluated longitudinal changes in the morphology and circulation hemodynamics of the disc and macula using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) in a patient with optic disc melanocytoma.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 50-year-old woman was referred to our hospital due to a dark pigmented tumor over the superior optic disc area of the left eye noted on physical examination. At the first visit, the patient's best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/20 in both eyes, and the intraocular pressure (IOP) was 17 and 18 mmHg in the left and right eyes, respectively. Fluorescein angiography (FA) showed blockage of fluorescence in the topography of the lesion, and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) showed hypofluorescence at all times. On LSFG, a low mean blur rate (MBR) was noted in the optic disc all area (MBRa) and tissue (MBRt) compared to the contralateral eye at the first visit and at the 3-month follow-up. A relatively low MBR was also detected in the macular area of the affected eye and the tumor itself. OCTA detected blood vessel networks in the deep retinal layer of the tumor. The visual field showed no specific defects. During follow-up, there was no tumor enlargement or vision decrease.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that a lower MBR of the disc and macula area was noted on LSFG in this patient with optic disc melanocytoma, and it was continually observed at the 3-month follow-up. Although blood vessel networks in the deep retinal layer of the tumor were detected by OCTA, vascular compromise in the surrounding disc area and macula was found. Therefore, these results further increase our knowledge about the role that circulation impairment plays in the pathogenesis of the disease while vision is unaffected.

Alterations of choroidal circulation and vascular morphology in a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia before and after chemotherapy

Background

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is known to cause leukemic retinopathy due to leukemia cell invasion into the choroid; however, details of the circulatory dynamics and morphological changes in the choroid are unknown. The aim of this study was to present a case of leukemic retinopathy and examine choroidal circulatory and structural analyses using laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) and optical coherence tomography with a binarization method, respectively.

Case presentation

A 15-year-old male diagnosed with CML complained of blurred vision in his right eye. He was ophthalmologically diagnosed with leukemic retinopathy due to retinal hemorrhage in both eyes. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors achieved complete cytogenetic remission and resolution of retinal hemorrhages at 6 months after treatment. After the treatment, the best-corrected visual acuity had recovered from 0.1 to 1.2 oculus dexter (OD) and remained at 1.5 oculus sinister (OS). The rate of change in macular blood flow assessed by the mean blur rate on LSFG was 18.3% increase OD and 25.2% decrease OS 19 months after treatment. The central choroidal thickness showed 0.4 and 3.1% reductions OD and OS, respectively. The binarization technique demonstrated that the rate of luminal areas in choroidal areas exhibited 3.2% increase OD but 4.8% decrease OS.

Conclusion

Choroidal blood flow improved OD after treatment for CML, while it deteriorated OS, together with choroidal thinning due to reduction of luminal areas. The degrees of leukemia cell invasion into the choroidal tissue and tissue destruction might be different between the eyes in this case.

Multimodal imaging assessment of a "micro" optic disk melanocytoma: A case report

An optic disk melanocytoma is a benign pigmented neoplasm of the optic disk measuring 2.00 mm of diameter in average. Smaller optic disk melanocytomas are rare and have not been studied with multiple imaging studies. A case of a "micro" optic disk melanocytoma measuring 0.71 mm in diameter was studied by multiple imaging modalities, including fundus autofluorescence, ultrasound, visual fields, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography. While clinical appreciation and fundus autofluorescence reveal changes compatible with previously reported cases, OCT, OCT angiography and ultrasound reveal specific changes that could be useful for follow up.

Imaging depth adaptive resolution enhancement for optical coherence tomography via deep neural network with external attention

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a promising non-invasive imaging technique that owns many biomedical applications. In this paper, a deep neural network is proposed for enhancing the spatial resolution of OCTen faceimages. Different from the previous reports, the proposed can recover high-resolutionen faceimages from low-resolutionen faceimages at arbitrary imaging depth. This kind of imaging depth adaptive resolution enhancement is achieved through an external attention mechanism, which takes advantage of morphological similarity between the arbitrary-depth and full-depthen faceimages. Firstly, the deep feature maps are extracted by a feature extraction network from the arbitrary-depth and full-depthen faceimages. Secondly, the morphological similarity between the deep feature maps is extracted and utilized to emphasize the features strongly correlated to the vessel structures by using the external attention network. Finally, the SR image is recovered from the enhanced feature map through an up-sampling network. The proposed network is tested on a clinical skin OCT data set and an open-access retinal OCT dataset. The results show that the proposed external attention mechanism can suppress invalid features and enhance significant features in our tasks. For all tests, the proposed SR network outperformed the traditional image interpolation method, e.g. bi-cubic method, and the state-of-the-art image super-resolution networks, e.g. enhanced deep super-resolution network, residual channel attention network, and second-order attention network. The proposed method may increase the quantitative clinical assessment of micro-vascular diseases which is limited by OCT imaging device resolution.

Role of ICAM-1 in impaired retinal circulation in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Many studies have demonstrated that rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) leads to impaired retinal circulation. However, the involvement of inflammation in the RRD-induced worsening of retinal circulation was obscure. This retrospective observational study included 150 patients with primary RRD (macula-on, n = 63; macula-off, n = 87) who underwent 25-gauge microincision vitrectomy surgery (25G MIVS). Total retinal blood flow was represented by the mean blur rate (MBR) of the optic nerve head vessel, measured by laser speckle flowgraphy preoperatively and until 6 months postoperatively. Aqueous humor samples were obtained during surgery to determine cytokine concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. At 3 and 6 months postoperatively, there were no significant differences between eyes with macula-on RRD and fellow eyes. However, in macula-off RRD, MBR remained significantly lower in RRD eyes 6 months postoperatively (P < 0.05). Log-transformed levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) were negatively correlated with relative MBR (r-MBR, RRD eye/fellow eye) before surgery (r =  − 0.47, P = 0.01) in macula-on, but not macula-off, RRD. Six months postoperatively, r-MBR correlated significantly with sICAM-1 levels (r =  − 0.36, P = 0.02) in macula-off RRD. ICAM-1 may play a role in RRD-induced deterioration of retinal circulation.

Multimodal imaging of optic disc melanocytoma

PURPOSE

To describe the findings of four patients (four eyes) with optic disc melanocytoma (ODM), using multimodal imaging.

METHODS

Retrospective case series.

RESULTS

On ocular ultrasonography ODMs appeared as hyperechogenic lesions with moderate-to-high internal reflectivity. On blue-light fundus autofluorescence, ODMs showed total hypoautofluorescence, while, on infrared reflectance images appeared as bright and well-marginated lesions. MultiColor composite images showed reddish-brown lesions with well-defined margins. Swept-source optical coherence tomography revealed elevated lesions covering the optic disc with an irregular hyperreflective surface, dishomogeneous internal structure with hyperreflective dots, and posterior shadowing. In all cases optical coherence tomography angiography detected intratumoral blood vessels which were not detectable with fluorescein angiography.

CONCLUSION

Multimodal imaging in ODM might be useful both at presentation, increasing the diagnostic accuracy, and at follow-up, providing helpful details, that can help to rule out the possibility of malignant transformation and other ocular complications.

Multimodal imaging assessment of a "micro" optic disk melanocytoma: A case report

An optic disk melanocytoma is a benign pigmented neoplasm of the optic disk measuring 2.00mm of diameter in average. Smaller optic disk melanocytomas are rare and have not been studied with multiple imaging studies. A case of a "micro" optic disk melanocytoma measuring 0.71mm in diameter was studied by multiple imaging modalities, including fundus autofluorescence, ultrasound, visual fields, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography. While clinical appreciation and fundus autofluorescence reveal changes compatible with previously reported cases, OCT, OCT angiography and ultrasound reveal specific changes that could be useful for follow up.

Laser speckle flowgraphy in juxtapapillary retinal capillary hemangioblastoma: a case report on natural course and therapeutic effect

Juxtapapillary retinal capillary hemangioblastoma (JRCH), a benign intraocular vascular tumor, is usually progressive and may lead to severe vision loss due to various complications. We herein present a case of JRCH observed with laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) before and after laser photocoagulation (LPC). A 21-year-old Japanese woman underwent LSFG evaluations. Right eye showed an orange-colored tumor consistent with JRCH on the papillomacular bundle, where LSFG showed a mild warm-color blood flow signal. Eight months after the first examination, JRCH in the right eye increased redness with vasodilatation, and the size enlarged, where LSFG showed a stronger warm-color blood flow signal. She underwent direct yellow laser ablation for the JRCH lesion. One week after LPC, JRCH became paler and LSFG eventually depicted a weakened blood flow signal at the same site. In conclusion, non-invasive and reproducible LSFG is a useful tool for assessing not only JRCH activity but also therapeutic effect.

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) applications in ocular oncology

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a revolutionary method in the visualization of the vascular system in different retinal and choroidal layers. During the last 4 years since the commercial availability of different OCTA devices, attempts have been made to utilize this technology in various aspects of ocular oncology from the differentiation of benign and malignant lesions to assisting in evaluation of post-treatment complications, such as radiation retinopathy. However, current OCTA technology is restricted by various artefacts and inherent limitations, some of which are more pronounced in the presence of elevated tumoural lesions. Imminent advancements in OCTA systems and image acquisition processes promise a great potential for application of OCTA in ocular oncology.

Optic Nerve Head Blood Flow Analysis in Patients with Optic Disc Drusen Using Laser Speckle Flowgraphy

Visual field defects are common in patients with optic disc drusen (ODD). Our aim was to examine whether reduced optic nerve head (ONH) microcirculation is related to visual field defects in ODD patients. Vascular and tissue area mean blur rate (MBR_V and MBR_T), measured using laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG), was significantly lower in the 32 included ODD eyes when compared with 40 healthy eyes (p <.05). There was a moderate correlation between the difference in MBR_T and the perimetric mean defect (R² = 0.53) in ODD patients. These findings demonstrate the utility of LSFG in examining ONH blood flow in ODD patients.

Optic disc melanocytoma with normal tension glaucoma and angle closure glaucoma: Two case reports

RATIONALE

Optic disc melanocytoma is an ophthalmic tumor that arises from melanocytes, and is a variant of the melanocytic nevus. Here we report 2 cases of optic disc melanocytoma in Asian patient: one associated with normal tension glaucoma (NTG), and the other associated with angle closure glaucoma (ACG).

PATIENT CONCERNS

Case 1 is a 57-year-old Asian female presented to our department for a general ophthalmic examination. Incidentally, brownish pigmented lesion was found on dilated fundus examination of her right eye. The fundus examination and optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination revealed a mass within optic disc, and superotemporal retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning. The Humphrey visual field test showed corresponding visual field defect. Fluorescein angiography showed no leakage around the lesion. Case 2 is a 78-year-old Asian woman presented with complaints of acute bilateral ocular pain. The initial examination revealed shallow anterior chamber. Under the impression of intermittent angle closure attack, prophylactic laser peripheral iridotomy were performed. On dilated fundus examination, black pigmented lesion was found at superior sector of optic disc. Further examination revealed bilateral superotemporal, inferotemporal RNFL thinning on OCT, and spatially corresponding visual field defects.

DIAGNOSES

Clinical diagnosis of NTG was made for case 1 patient. Although it was a little distant from typical glaucomatous changes, nevertheless she had RNFL defect compatible with visual field defects. Considering her normal IOP and angle structures, we believe NTG was a probable diagnosis for the patient. In case 2, we made diagnosis of ACG presenting as intermittent angle closure attack because of her presenting symptoms, narrowing of anterior chamber and angle structures found on gonioscopic and slit lamp examinations.

INTERVENTIONS

In Case 1, we prescribe 0.005% latanoprost ophthalmic solution. In Case 2, at first prophylactic laser peripheral iridotomy was performed. Then, topical eyedrops administration was started, and the patient was examined periodically.

OUTCOMES

In Case 1, at 6 months' follow-up, OCT and visual field test showed no progression. In Case 2, to this date, the optic disc melanocytoma remains stable for over a 6-year-follow-up period.

LESSONS

The fact that NTG and ACG can coexist in patients with melanocytoma of optic disc should be recognized, and the possibility of such should appropriately be evaluated.

Multimodal imaging in sclerochoroidal calcification: a case report and literature review

Background

Sclerochoroidal calcification (SCC), a rare condition found in elderly people, is idiopathic or occasionally secondary to disorders affecting calcium metabolism. Findings of multimodal imaging including choroidal circulation are, however, largely unknown. We present a patient of SCC with systemic background, who underwent multimodal imaging evaluations.

Case presentation

A 70-year-old Japanese man was referred to our clinic because of bilateral fundus lesions. He had a history of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Fundus photography showed a cluster of choroidal folds in the superotemporal extra-macular region OS. Swept-source optical coherence tomography demonstrated ellipsoid zone disruption OD, retinal pigment epithelium undulation OS, dilated Haller layer veins OU, and central choroidal thickening OU and thinning of the overlying choroid due to scleral elevation OS. Fluorescein angiography detected macular hyperfluorescence OD. Indocyanine green angiography demonstrated choroidal vascular hyperpermeability together with numerous scattered hypofluorescent lesions OU. Fundus autofluorescence showed multiple hypoautofluorescent spots surrounded by hyperautofluorescent areas OD. Laser speckle flowgraphy exhibited choroidal blood flow reduction represented by a cold color pattern OU. B-mode echography displayed hyperechoic solid lesions with acoustic shadowing and orbital computed tomography revealed high density areas in the sclera, both of which were consistent with calcification. The patient was diagnosed with SCC, and these imaging findings remained unchanged 7 months after the diagnosis.

Conclusions

We reported a case of SCC with the background of CKD. Our detailed multimodal observations indicated choroidal hypoperfusion possibly caused by mechanical compression due to calcium deposition in the sclera.