Abstract
Purpose: :
to evaluate, qualitatively and quantitatively, through high frequency ultrasound (50 MHZ) exams, the eyes of patients with anatomical criteria of intermediate uveitis (IU).
Methods: :
Fifty patients (99 eyes), who met the criteria of inclusion under the definitions of IU were examined through ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) by a transversal, observational, qualitative and quantitative study, using the computer program (UBM Pro 2000 Paradigm Medical Industries). The findings were compared among four subgroups of eyes, with the presence or not of snowbanks and/or snowballs.
Results: :
in the qualitative analysis of the UBM exams, there was observed the presence of spotted echoes in the anterior chamber; the band keratopathy endotheliopathy; the blockage by anterior or apositional synechiae, posterior synechiae and seclusions; edematous and/or anterior rotation of the or hypotrophy or detachment of the ciliary body; the cystic lesions of the iris and or ciliary body; the spotted and membranous echoes of the anterior vitreous body; the thickening and increase in reflectivity of the anterior hyaloid membrane; the vitreoretinal traction and retinoschisis; the condensation of spotted vitreous echoes corresponding to snowballs and the homogeneous or heterogeneous mass with medium or high reflectivity corresponding to snowbanks. In the comparative analysis among the four groups, in relation to the presence of band keratopathy and endotheliopathy we found statistically significant differences in the subgroups with snowball and snowbank (P<0.001); the same finding was observed in the increase in reflectivity of the zonular hyaloid membrane beyond the ora serrata; the presence of vitreoretinal traction (P = 0.005); the presence of y negative intersection (P = 0.005) in semi–automatic measurements of parameters of the anterior segment of the eye.
Conclusions: :
UBM was effective in the identification of ultra– structural changes in eyes with UI. The finding of homogeneous or heterogeneous mass, of medium or high reflectivity along the ciliary body can occur in the presence of both normal or edematous ciliary body; the increased area of snowbank showed a little at inflammatory signs in the vitreous body, the morphometry of the anterior segment but when there are also vitreous body, there appears to be an increased influence. UBM could be important in therapeutic monitoring of patients with IU.
Keywords: uvea • imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound) • anatomy