Multimodal imaging of sticky oil phenomenon in eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment treated with vitrectomy and gas or silicone oil tamponade

Abstract

 

Purpose

 

To describe multimodal imaging findings using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), near-infrared and short-wave fundus autofluorescence (NIR-FAF and SW-FAF) in eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment treated with vitrectomy and gas or silicone oil tamponade and evaluate presence or signs of sticky silicon oil phenomenon.

 

Methods

 

Retrospective case series. We studied 158 consecutive patients affected by rhegmatogenous retinal detachment underwent 3-port pars plana vitrectomy with gas or silicone oil tamponade from January 2010 to September 2013. Ophthalmological examination, SD-OCT and FAF were performed before (when the anatomical situation made it possible) and after surgery (always). SD-OCT analysis was performed by mean of Spectralis-OCT Blue Peack (Heidelberg Engineering, Germany) and NIR-FAF / SW-FAF was analysed with spectralis HRA (Heidelberg Engineering, Germany). In vitro Autofluorescence analysis was performed also to all the liquid substances used.

 

Results

 

Presence of silicon oil in camera vitrea creates an image of ‘‘level’’ on the OCT and masks physiologic autofluorescence and reflectivity with a blurred image. Epiretinal sticky oil gives hyper reflective spots that are hyper autofluorescent in NIR and SW-FAF. Cases with complete retinal detachment, underwent to multiple tamponades, presented hyper autofluorescent spots in NIR-AF that were associated with chronic retinal edema.

 

Conclusions

 

SD-OCT and FAF can be useful to reveal intravitreal, epiretinal or subretinal presence of tamponades. Hyperautofluorescence in NIR-AF can be associated with presence of tamponades under the retina (not or barely detectable with OCT), that causes chronic inflammation of the retina, with macular edema. Multimodal retina imaging can be useful to evaluate presence of the sticky oil phenomenon and consequent inflammation.

 

 

Epiretinal sticky oil gives hyper reflective spots that are hyper autofluorescent in SW and NIR-FAF and were associated with chronic retinal edema

 

 

Cases with complete retinal detachment, underwent to multiple tamponades, presented hyper autofluorescent spots in NIR-AF that was associated with chronic retinal edema. Hyperautofluorescence in NIR-AF can be associated with presence of tamponades under the retina (not or barely detectable with OCT) that causes chronic retinal inflammation, with macular edema.

 

Keywords: 552 imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound) • 697 retinal detachment • 762 vitreoretinal surgery