Arteriovenous anastomoses of the retina

Retinal Racemose Hemangioma With Optic Neuropathy in a Child

The aim of this study is to report an unusual case of retinal racemose haemangioma (RRH) in a child resulting in optic neuropathy and its optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) findings. This is a retrospective case report.

For almost a year, a 13-year-old girl experienced gradual, painless, generalized blurred vision in her right eye. Visual acuity was 6/60 with a positive relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) in her right eye. The right-eye fundus showed enlarged and tortuous retinal vessels extending from the optic disc to all four quadrants, including the juxta foveal region. OCT analysis revealed distortion in the region of enlarged vessels with minimal retinal fluid while OCT-A of the macula area demonstrated dilated and tortuous vessels in the superficial layers of the retina. Right intra-orbital vascular channels surrounding the optic nerve with optic nerve atrophy and gliosis were detected on magnetic resonance imaging angiography/venography (MRA/MRV). The cerebral angiogram reported an abnormal tangle of small vessels within the right orbit that received supply from a dilated right ophthalmic artery indicating the presence of retro-orbital arteriovenous malformation (AVM). She was then referred to the neurosurgeon and a decision was made not to embolize or resect the dilated vessel as this might lead to occlusion of the ophthalmic artery and thus worsen her vision.

RRH may present in the paediatric age group, and optic nerve atrophy is one of the disease manifestations. OCT-A is a less invasive diagnostic option compared to fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) for diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression.

Pre- and juxtapapillary arterial loops in eyes with tilted disc syndrome and inferior staphyloma

Purpose

To report and discuss the association between pre- or juxtapapillary arterial loops and tilted disc syndrome (TDS).

Observations

Three patients, aged 43–59 years, with both conditions were examined in a tertiary referral center, and underwent fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and/or OCT-angiography. They all presented with a typical inferior staphyloma associated with TDS and anomalies of insertion of retinal vessels. The vascular malformation consisted in one acquired arterial loop or cilioretinal collateral circulation occurring after central artery occlusion, and two more complex pre- and juxtapapillary arterial loops. In all cases, the vascular loops extended inferiorly, in the area of the staphyloma.

Conclusion and importance

We hypothesized that the local anatomical changes in the peripapillary area, observed in eyes with TDS and inferior staphyloma, could have promoted the occurrence and/or extent of the arterial loops.

Retinal Arteriovenous Malformation Occlusion and Optic Nerve Drusen: Casuality or Causality?

Multimodal imaging of an impending retinal vein occlusion in an arteriovenous malformation associated with optic nerve drusen (OND) in a 16-year-old girl affected by Wyburn-Mason Syndrome. The authors seek to determine whether the association between the two entities has had an additive role in the acute retinal vascular event. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2020;51:418-419.].

Prepapillary vascular loop-a new classification

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

To analyze the ophthalmic characteristics of congenital prepapillary vascular loop (PVL) and to propose a new morphologic classification dividing the loops into six types.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Collaborative multinational multicentre retrospective study of PVL cases.

RESULTS

There was a total of 49 cases (61 eyes), 37 unilateral (75.5%) and 12 bilateral (24.5%), 32 arterial type (65.3%) and 18 venous type (36.7%) (one patient had either kind in each eye). The mean number of loops per eye was 2.7 (range, 1-7). The loops were asymptomatic in 42 cases (85.7%). Other findings included: the presence of cilioretinal artery (14 cases), retinal vascular tortuosity (26 cases), amaurosis fugax (1 case), branch retinal artery occlusion (1 case) and vitreous haemorrhage (3 cases). Six morphologic loop types could be discerned based on elevation (flat vs. elevated), shape (figure of 8 or corkscrew with hyaline sheath), number (multiple or single), location (central or peripheral), lumen size (arterial vs. arteriolar) and presence of vascular tortuosity or vitreous traction.

CONCLUSIONS

PVL are usually asymptomatic and can be divided into six morphologic types with different pathogenesis during early embryogenesis.

Retinal racemose hemangioma with retinal artery macroaneurysm: Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) findings

Purpose

To describe a rare case of retinal racemose hemangioma (RRH) with retinal artery macroaneurysm (RAM) and its optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) finding before and after treatment.

Observations

Congenital arteriovenous (AV) communications or RRH is a rare developmental anomaly associated with various ocular conditions. RRH alone is usually asymptomatic, and vision loss occurs when associated with other ocular complications like retinal vein occlusion, hemmorage, macular edema and macroaneurysm. In this communication we describe a case of a 44-year-old female having RRH who presented with active, leaking RAM with subretinal hemmorage. OCT-A through the lesion demonstrated an active aneurysm which on subsequent treatment with anti VEGF and focal laser photocoagulation showed involution of aneurysm.

Conclusions and importance

RRH is usually asymptomatic and may be associated with vision threatening ocular complications like RAM. OCT-A helps in giving additional dynamic blood flow information in RAM.

RETINAL RACEMOSE HEMANGIOMA WITH FOCAL MACULAR INVOLVEMENT

PURPOSE

To report a case of racemose hemangioma with macular involvement and treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor.

METHODS

Observational case report.

RESULTS

JFS, a 31-year-old woman, presented with a complaint of blurred vision in her right eye over the preceding 2 months, worsening during the previous month. An examination conducted in May 2013 showed visual acuity of 20/30 in her right eye and 20/20 in her left eye, deteriorating to 20/40 in the right eye 1 month later. Retinography of the right eye revealed a dilated tortuous retinal vessel in the lower temporal arcade, affecting the macular region. Because of progressive deterioration in the patient's visual acuity, she was treated with 3 intravitreal bevacizumab injections, with an interval of 1 month between them. At the end of the proposed treatment, the patient was followed up on an outpatient basis for 12 months, with visual acuity of 20/20 in both eyes and no signs of retinal exudation throughout the entire follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

Racemose hemangioma with focal macular involvement may lead to a progressive reduction in visual acuity because of exudation. Further studies need to be conducted to confirm the efficacy of bevacizumab injections to treat vascular malformation; however, this form of management does seem promising.

Retinal vein occlusion in retinal racemose hemangioma: a case report and literature review of ocular complications in this rare retinal vascular disorder

Backgroud

Retinal racemose hemangioma (RRH) is a rare congenital disorder that often co-occurs with other ocular complications. In this study, we present a case of RRH complicated with retinal vein obstruction in three branches and provide a review of ocular complications and associations with RRH.

Case presentation

One case of RRH is presented. Fundus examination, fluorescein angiography (FFA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the patient identified Group 3 RRH complicated with retinal vein occlusions in the superotemporal, inferotemporal, and inferonasal branches. Macular edema, which causes visual impairment, was detected. A brief literature review was also presented. The PubMed database was searched for RRH or related keywords to find reports of ocular complications or associations published on or before Dec. 31, 2013. A total of 140 papers describing167 RRH cases were found. The mean age of diagnosis was 22.97 years. Ocular complications were mentioned in 32 (19.16%) cases. Retinal vein occlusion (46.88%) was the major ocular complication in RRH, followed by hemorrhage (34.38%). Eight (4.79%) cases were associated with other ocular diseases such as Sturge–Weber syndrome , Morning glory disc anomaly and macroaneurysm.

Conclusions

Although RRH is a relatively non-progressive condition, its complications may lead to vision loss and should be treated in time.

Congenital vascular malformations of the retina and choroid

PURPOSE

To review recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital vascular malformations of the retina and choroid.

METHODS

Review of the current literature on retinal haemangioblastoma, racemose haemangiomatosis, retinal cavernous haemangioblastoma, circumscribed choroidal haemangioma, and diffuse choroidal haemangioma.

CONCLUSION

The management of patients with congenital vascular lesions of the retina and choroid is advancing rapidly through recent developments in genetic testing, ocular imaging, and treatment. Most are associated with systemic disease, which may be life-threatening. New therapeutic methods such as Verteporfin photodynamic therapy and anti-angiogenic therapy have significantly improved the treatment of retinal and choroidal angiomas and vascular malformations. Ophthalmologists have a major role in detecting and diagnosing these tumours and in providing long-term care in collaboration with a specialist in the field.

The congenital unilateral retinocephalic vascular malformation syndrome (bonnet-dechaume-blanc syndrome or wyburn-mason syndrome): review of the literature

Retinal arteriovenous malformations represent a rare syndrome in which a direct connection of major vessels without interposition of capillaries may lead to various complications such as thrombosis and vessel occlusion. This review comprises the computer-stored data of all the 121 patients with arteriovenous malformations described in the literature. Twenty-seven patients had typical Bonnet-Dechaume-Blanc syndrome (in this article designated as congenital retinocephalofacial vascular malformation syndrome), 25 had incomplete congenital retinocephalofacial vascular malformation syndrome (without facial skin lesions), 57 had isolated retinal arteriovenous malformations, and 12 had arteriovenous communications of the retina and distinct neurological signs, but without neuroradiological evidence of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (presumed cerebral arteriovenous malformations). Concerning the retinal findings, we found a distinct difference by comparing patients with congenital retinocephalofacial vascular malformation syndrome and those with isolated retinopathy without cerebral or facial malformations: extensive retinal malformations of vessels of most parts of the fundus occurred conspicuously more often in patients with retinal and cerebral arteriovenous malformations. In contrast, local retinal arteriovenous malformations occurred in all patients with isolated retinopathy without cerebral or facial malformations and rarely in patients with congenital retinocephalofacial vascular malformation syndrome. In conclusion, patients with arteriovenous communications of the retina should be examined early with brain and orbital neuroimaging to rule out cerebral arteriovenous malformations. Current therapeutic strategies include endovascular, surgical, and radiation procedures.

Branch retinal vein obstruction secondary to retinal arteriovenous communication

PURPOSE

To document a branch retinal vein obstruction secondary to a congenital arteriovenous communication.

METHOD

Case report of a young patient with retinal arteriovenous communication.

RESULTS

A 12-year-old girl had a grade 2 retinal arteriovenous communication in her right eye. She was asymptomatic and was subsequently followed up. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was normal and disclosed no signs of Wyburn-Mason syndrome. Nine years later, she developed a branch retinal vein obstruction in the area of the arteriovenous communication. Six months later, the patient was free of secondary complications of branch retinal vein obstruction; however, she is being followed up to detect any retinal or iris neovascularization.

CONCLUSION

Awareness of retinal vascular obstruction associated with arteriovenous communication may help its timely recognition, as well as prompt treatment of potential complications, such as retinal and iris neovascularization.

Retinal arteriovenous communication in retinitis pigmentosa with Refsum's disease-like findings

In this report we describe, herewith, a patient with primary pigmentary dystrophy of the retina (retinitis pigmentosa) associated with unilateral retinal arteriovenous communication and exudative retinal detachment. The patient had complete resolution of the retinal detachment following laser photocoagulation treatment. Such association has not been previously reported.

Peripapillary hemorrhage

On routine examination, a 61-year-old man was found to have a deep peripapillary hemorrhage surrounding his left optic nerve head. Further examination revealed a left sixth nerve paresis, a subtle right homonymous quadrantanopia, and jerky pursuit to the left. The diagnostic work-up was delayed by the patient because of business commitments. He returned confused and obtunded. Neuro-imaging showed a large frontal mass, which turned out to be an anaplastic astrocytoma. Diagnosis of the lesion had been obscured by three false localizing signs. Discussion deals with the definition of Terson's syndrome and the occurrence of peripapillary hemorrhages. Other causes of peripapillary hemorrhages are illustrated.

Central retinal vein occlusion associated with retinal arteriovenous malformation

PURPOSE/BACKGROUND

Retinal arteriovenous malformations can be seen in a variety of ways and have multiple, associated, ocular changes that can affect vision. The authors report two cases of retinal arteriovenous malformation. In each case, a central retinal vein occlusion developed.

METHODS

Each patient underwent clinical examination and fluorescein angiography. One patient was followed over a long period of time.

CONCLUSION

The authors propose that a turbulent flow, high intravascular volume, and arteriolar pressure in the venous side of the retinal arteriovenous malformation may lead to vessel wall damage, thrombosis, and occlusion. They also suggest that compression of the central retinal vein by the mass effect of the arteriovenous malformation on the optic nerve further leads to turbulence and thrombosis.

Neovascular glaucoma and the occurrence of twin vessels in congenital arteriovenous communications of the retina

Two cases with unilateral congenital arteriovenous communications of the retina are described. One of them developed a neovascular glaucoma. Both cases had twin vessels of the retina. The possible significance of twin vessels in these cases is discussed.

Retinal arteriovenous shunts in Takayasu disease

The authors followed up on a series of 24 eyes in 12 patients with Takayasu disease in its moderate to advanced stage over the past 10 years. They paid particular attention to arteriovenous shunt formation in the retina. The authors could identify two types of arteriovenous shunts based on rapid sequence fluorescein angiography. In six eyes, arteriovenous shunts had formed at arteriovenous crossings through direct communication of arterial and venous lumen in the midperipheral retina. In 22 eyes, arteriovenous shunts had formed consequent to dilation of capillaries, formation of preferential channels, and obliteration of neighboring capillaries. These two types seemed to be basic patterns of discrete arteriovenous shunts that characterize Takayasu disease in its advanced stage.