A Brazilian case of exudative perifoveal vascular anomalous complex responsive to aflibercept intravitreal injections.
Eur J Ophthalmol 2024;
34:NP68-NP72. [PMID:
37671424 DOI:
10.1177/11206721231200116]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE
To report a case of exudative perifoveal exudative vascular anomalous complex (ePVAC) in a Brazilian healthy patient that underwent a complete resolution after aflibercept intravitreal injections.
CASE DESCRIPTION
A 41-year-old healthy Brazilian man complained of acute central vision loss in his right eye (RE). Fundus examination showed a perifoveal hemorrhagic aneurysmal lesion, accompanied by several hard exudates in RE. On fluorescein angiography, these abnormalities showed a progressive hyperfluorescence with surrounding leakage. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed a deep, perifoveal hyporeflective cystic space with a hyperreflective wall and hyperreflective material inside of fibrin-like aspect. Around this aneurism, intraretinal hyporeflective spaces suggestive of exudation were detected. Nor pathological flow signal, or telangiectatic dilations were evidenced on OCT-angiography. Therefore, a diagnosis of exudative ePVAC in RE was hypothesized. After an initial observation, the patient underwent three monthly aflibercept intravitreal injections (0.05 ml/2 mg), with a significative anatomical and functional improvement after two weeks from first dose. On last follow-up at five months from baseline, patient experienced no evidence of new exudation and a stable visual acuity.
DISCUSSION
Placental growth factor (PlGF) may impact on pericytes' dropout, and thus on ePVAC development. In contrast to the other anti-VEGF drugs, aflibercept is the only molecule contrasting PlGF. Therefore, aflibercept would act on ePVAC not as an anti-VEGF drug, but rather as an anti-PlGF one.
CONCLUSION
This report encouraged the use of aflibercept as a therapeutic option for ePVAC. Further studies are required to confirm our result and the impact of PlGF on ePVAC pathogenesis.
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