Bilateral juxtapapillary subretinal neovascularization and pseudopapilledema in a three-year-old child

Pediatric Headache in Primary Care and Emergency Departments: Consensus with RAND/UCLA Method

Headache is the most frequent neurological symptom in childhood and the main reason for admission to pediatric emergency departments. The aim of this consensus document is to define a shared clinical pathway between primary care pediatricians (PCP) and hospitals for the management of children presenting with headache. For the purposes of the study, a group of hospital pediatricians and a group of PCP from the Emilia Romagna’s health districts were selected to achieve consensus using the RAND/UCLA appropriateness method. Thirty-nine clinical scenarios were developed: for each scenario, participants were asked to rank the appropriateness of each option from 1 to 9. Agreement was reached if ≥75% of participants ranked within the same range of appropriateness. The answers, results, and discussion helped to define the appropriateness of procedures with a low level of evidence regarding different steps of the diagnostic-therapeutic process: primary care evaluation, emergency department evaluation, hospital admission, acute therapy, prophylaxis, and follow-up. The RAND proved to be a valid method to value appropriateness of procedures and define a diagnostic-therapeutic pathway suitable to the local reality in the management of pediatric headache. From our results, some useful recommendations were developed for optimizing the healthcare professionals’ network among primary care services and hospitals.

Choroidal neovascularization in 111 eyes of children and adolescents

PURPOSE

To describe the clinical features, management, and outcomes of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in children less than 18 years of age.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, case control study of 111 eyes of 96 patients. CNV was clinically diagnosed in all patients. Eyes were classified as those that were observed (Controls; Group 1) or those that had treatment (Cases; Group 2). CNV was categorized as regressed, persistent, or recurrent in order to evaluate the anatomical outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 96 patients, 68(71%) were male. Mean presenting age was 11.4 ± 3.4 years (median = 11 years, range = 1-17 years). CNV was bilateral in 15(16%) patients. Of 111 eyes, 38 eyes had treatment (Cases) and 73 eyes did not (Natural history group or Controls). Subfoveal CNV was seen in majority of cases (59%). Most common etiology was post-inflammatory (38%), followed by trauma (16%). Eyes were classified as those that were observed (controls; Group 1) or those that had treatment (cases; Group 2). In group 1, spontaneous regression of CNV was seen in 26(36%) eyes and there was no recurrence in this group. In group 2 following treatment, 25(66%) of 38 eyes achieved complete regression at mean 4.9 months and was persistent in 5 eyes. CNV recurrence was seen in 10 eyes with the mean time to first recurrence being 9 months. At presentation, mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of eyes with subfoveal CNV was logMAR 0.99 that improved to logMAR 0.63 with treatment. Mean follow-up was 17 months.

CONCLUSION

CNV results in significant visual decline in children; most commonly of post-inflammatory etiology. Treatment achieves high regression rates, albeit with limited visual improvement.

Optic disk drusen in children

Optic disk drusen occur in 0.4% of children and consist of acellular intracellular and extracellular deposits that often become calcified over time. They are typically buried early in life and generally become superficial, and therefore visible, later in childhood, at the average age of 12 years. Their main clinical significance lies in the ability of optic disk drusen, particularly when buried, to simulate true optic disk edema. Misdiagnosing drusen as true disk edema may lead to an invasive and unnecessary workup for elevated intracranial pressure. Ancillary testing, including ultrasonography, fluorescein angiography, fundus autofluorescence, and optical coherence tomography, may aid in the correct diagnosis of optic disk drusen. Complications of optic disk drusen in children include visual field defects, hemorrhages, choroidal neovascular membrane, nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, and retinal vascular occlusions. Treatment options for these complications include ocular hypotensive agents for visual field defects and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents for choroidal neovascular membranes. In most cases, however, children with optic disk drusen can be managed by observation with serial examinations and visual field testing once true optic disk edema has been excluded.

Choroidal neovascularization in 36 eyes of children and adolescents

PURPOSE

To describe the clinical features and outcomes among eyes with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in children and adolescents.

METHODS

A total of 36 eyes of 27 patients <18 years of age diagnosed with CNV between January 1978 and December 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. CNV was clinically diagnosed in all patients and its presence was confirmed by fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA). A total of 19 eyes underwent treatment. Anatomical outcome was evaluated as regressed/persistent/recurrent CNV. Snellen's values for best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were converted to logMAR for statistical calculations.

RESULTS

Of the 27 patients, 17 (63%) were male. Nine (33.3%) of the 27 patients had bilateral CNV. At presentation, CNV was active in 22 (61.1%) eyes and regressed in 14 (28.9%) eyes. All active CNV cases were 'classic' type, with the majority (80.5%) being subfoveal. The mean greatest linear dimension (GLD) was 3.16 ± 1.94 mm (range, 0.9-10.15). The most common cause (41.7%) was post-inflammatory. The mean duration to regression in treated eyes was 103.53 days (15 eyes). Recurrence was noted in three (8.3%) eyes. The mean duration to first recurrence was 260 days (range, 90-390), and the mean follow-up duration was 779.53 ± 988.00 days.

CONCLUSION

CNV remains a cause of significant visual decline in children and adolescents. Male predominance, post-inflammatory etiology, bilateral affection, and subfoveal location are noteworthy, with a high regression rate in response to treatment. Re-treatment is required in a limited number of cases.

Intravitreal bevacizumab treatment of bilateral peripapillary choroidal neovascularization from optic nerve head drusen

Choroidal neovascular membranes are a rare cause of decreased vision in children with optic nerve head drusen. We present a case of bilateral choroidal neovascular membranes associated with optic nerve head drusen in a 5-year-old boy who was successfully treated with a combination of focal laser photocoagulation and intravitreal bevacizumab.

Advanced visual field loss secondary to optic nerve head drusen: case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Optic nerve head drusen (ONHD) is a relatively uncommon condition that results from calcific degeneration of axons within the optic nerve. The abnormal drusen bodies can enlarge, compressing normal nerve structures, and ultimately may result in vision loss. Drusen often are discovered through clinical evaluation with a dilated funduscopic examination. Ancillary testing, including computed tomographic (CT) imaging, B-scan ultrasonography, autofluorescence imaging, nerve fiber layer imaging, and threshold visual field evaluation are helpful to confirm the existence of ONHD and to evaluate for progression of this condition.

CASE REPORT

This case report discusses the clinical presentation of a patient with advanced visual field loss from ONHD and the ancillary testing used to confirm the diagnosis. A complete review of literature on ONHD is discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

Currently, there is no cure or direct treatment for progressive vision loss or complications that may develop from ONHD. Useful diagnostic tools include serial automated threshold visual fields, nerve fiber layer analysis, and fundus photography. It is suggested that ocular hypotensive agents be used to lower intraocular pressure prophylactically to prevent further nerve fiber layer and optic nerve damage.

Complications hémorragiques des druses de la papille

INTRODUCTION

The hemorrhagic complications of the optic disk drusen are rare and interesting because of their functional implications, the difficulty of the differential diagnosis and the uncertain pathogeny.

MATERIAL

and methods: Retrospective study of 6 cases with a complete general and ophthalmological examination, followed between 2 and 9 years.

RESULTS

The average age of the cases was 38.5 years (9-62 years). The visual acuity was slightly affected and reversible in the papillary hemorrhages (1 case), low and partial reversible in the extended hemorrhages (4 cases), severe affected and irreversible in the associations with a choroidal neovascular membrane with macular implications (1 case). We found three types of hemorrhages: papillary (1 case), peripapillary associated with choroidal neovascular membrane in acute (2 cases) and cicatricial stage (1 case), extended subretinal (2 cases). The papillary drusen were profound (4 cases) and superficial (2 cases). Ultrasonography showed the presence of the optic disk drusen in both eyes in all cases. The evolution followed on a period from 2 to 9 years, revealed the resorbtion of the hemorrhages between 3 and 6 months, the reversible visual acuity in the cases without macular implication, and the absence of recidiva or bilateralisation.

DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

The authors are presenting a number of clinical cases of papillary drusen complicated with hemorrhages, some of the cases being associated with choroidial neovascular membrane. Because of the clinical appearance, aspects of differential diagnosis with papillary edema of other etiologies are discussed. A role in the pathogeny is attributed to the direct or progressive compression of the retinal vascularisation which can provoke the erosion of the vessels and in some cases the appearance of the choroidal neovascular membrane. The suggested therapy is medical, surgical, or by photocoagulation, but the results are contradictory.

The rate of visual field loss in optic nerve head drusen

PURPOSE

To define the rate of visual field loss in patients with optic nerve head drusen (ONHD).

DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

METHODS

Goldmann visual field (GVF) testing from initial visit and last follow-up examination were quantified using the modified Esterman grid technique. The rate of visual field loss was calculated by comparing the initial GVF to the last follow-up GVF. A comparative analysis of GVF and age at initial evaluation was performed on all patients with an initial GVF only.

SETTING

Tertiary academic care center.

PARTICIPANTS

Inclusion criteria for the rate analysis: (1) diagnosis of ONHD and (2) at least 36 months of follow-up with serial GVF testing.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

(1) patients with glaucoma or glaucoma-suspect; (2) history or examination evidence for other ocular disease; and (3) drusen-related macular causes of visual loss.

RESULTS

Thirty-two of 292 charts were included in the rate analysis. The rate of visual field loss was 1.58%. There was no statistically significant difference between men and women (P = .74). One hundred eighty patients were included in the initial visual field analysis. There was a significant negative correlation between age and GVF, with older patients having lower GVF scores with a Spearman correlation of -0.42 (P < 0.0001); 73% of these 180 patients had mild, minimal, or no visual field loss.

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of visual field loss for ONHD over a 36-month interval of time was 1.6% per year. Patients with minimal or no visual field loss were younger, and patients with moderate or severe visual loss were older.

Optic nerve head drusen

Optic disc drusen are congenital and developmental anomalies of the optic nerve head seen commonly in clinical practice, often as an incidental ophthalmologic finding during routine exams. Optic disc drusen are a form of calcific degeneration in some of the axons of the optic nerve. Visual acuity is often not affected but the visual fields of these patients can be abnormal and deteriorate over time. Optic disc drusen are familial and are not uncommon. They are thought to be the result of pathology at the level of the optic nerve head itself. The diagnosis can be made with clinical findings combined with B scan ultrasound and computed tomography. In addition, newer modalities using optic nerve head tomography are proving to be very useful. Since children as well as adults are affected, it is important to consider optic nerve head drusen in the differential diagnosis of papilledema or optic nerve swelling.

Optic disk drusen

Optic disk drusen occur in 3.4 to 24 per 1,000 population and are bilateral in approximately 75%. Disturbance in the axonal metabolism in the presence of a small scleral canal--regardless of eyelength--is considered responsible for the development. The drusen increase in size, becoming more visible with age due to continuing calcium apposition, and they are associated with visual field defects in a considerable number of patients. Patients do not usually notice these defects, despite their progressive nature over the years, and this indicates an insidious course. A correct diagnosis of optic disk drusen is mandatory, although effective treatment is not yet available. It is most important to differentiate optic disk drusen from papilledema in order to avoid unnecessary neurological examinations, but also to avoid overlooking genuine neurologic disorders. Because optic disk drusen can cause severe visual field defects, patients require individual consultation regarding work issues and whether or not to drive. Optic disk drusen can be accompanied by vascular complications as well. In some cases these vascular changes--for example, choroidal neovascularization--are treatable. Patients with optic disk drusen should undergo regular visual field, IOP, and nerve fiber layer examinations. In patients with deteriorating visual field and borderline IOP, we recommend antiglaucomatous therapy.

Choroidal neovascular membrane associated with optic nerve head drusen in a child

PURPOSE

To illustrate the diagnosis, evaluation, and complications of pseudopapilledema in children.

METHODS

We examined a 9-year-old boy who had suspected papilledema and a retinal mass. He had undergone neuroradiologic imaging at an outside facility.

RESULTS

Clinical examination of the patient provided the diagnosis of optic nerve head drusen, pseudopapilledema, and a cicatrized choroidal neovascular membrane. Examination of the boy's parents disclosed optic nerve head drusen in the father.

CONCLUSIONS

Choroidal neovascular membranes caused by optic nerve head drusen are uncommon in children. Clinical examination of the patient and family members, along with B-scan ultrasonography, can establish this cause. Neuroradiologic testing is unnecessary, and carries risk related to the need for sedation.

Subretinal neovascularization in chronic uveitis

This paper describes two young patients who developed subretinal neovascularization (SRNV) of choroidal origin as a complication of chronic uveitis of undetermined etiology. The probable mechanism of SRNV development and the differential diagnosis of the intraocular inflammatory condition are presented.