High-resolution spectral domain optical coherence tomography and fundus autofluorescence correlation in tubercular serpiginouslike choroiditis

J Ophthalmic Inflamm Infect. 2011 Dec;1(4):157-63. doi: 10.1007/s12348-011-0037-7. Epub 2011 Aug 17.

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to describe changes in high-resolution spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scans with simultaneous fundus autoflorescence (FAF) signals in tubercular serpiginouslike choroiditis (SLC).

Methods: Simultaneous SD-OCT and FAF imaging of eyes affected with SLC from acute stage until resolution of lesions was obtained using Spectralis HRA+OCT system (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany).

Patients: Four eyes (three patients) with SLC were prospectively followed.

Results: Acute lesions of SLC (diffusely hyperautofluorescent) corresponded to hyperreflective areas on SD-OCT involving the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), photoreceptor outer segment tips (POST), inner segment-outer segment (IS/OS) junction, external limiting membrane (ELM), and outer nuclear layer (ONL) with a minimal distortion of inner retinal layers. There was no backscattering from inner choroid. During healing, lesions became discrete with a hypoautofluorescent border and predominant hyperautofluorescence centrally. The hyperreflective fuzzy areas on SD-OCT scans disappeared, and irregular, knobbly elevations of outer retinal layers appeared. The RPE, POST, IS/OS junction, and ELM could not be distinguished. The ONL appeared normal. The choroid showed an increased reflectance. As the lesions healed further over the next 3-6 months, they became predominantly hypoautofluorescent with loss of RPE, POST, IS/OS junction, and ELM in SD-OCT scan.

Conclusion: The SD-OCT provided an insight into the ultrastructural changes in the outer retina during the course of acute SLC lesions. The changes on OCT correlated with abnormal FAF findings.