Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the morphology of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) on optical coherence tomography (OCT) and determine differences between angiographically and clinically designated classic and occult CNV.
Methods: :
Retrospective review of OCT scans and fundus fluorescein angiograms of 100 eyes with suspected acute CNV each by independent masked observers. Fundus fluorescein angiograms were interpreted as per standard criteria. On OCT, morphological features noted were fusiform enlargement or duplication of the external reflective band, well defined RPE elevation of the external band with mild back–scattering and the presence of sub–retinal and intra–retinal fluid. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS software using the Chi–square test.
Results: :
On fundus fluorescein angiography, of a total of 100 eyes, 32 eyes were classified as classic CNV and 57 as occult CNV. The remaining 11 were found to be serous PED and were excluded from further analysis. There was no significant difference between classic CNV and occult CNV with respect to fusiform enlargement or duplication of external reflective band (p=0.18, Chi–square test) or RPE elevation (p=0.237, Chi–square test). A direct relationship was therefore not found between OCT features and angiographic appearance of CNV.
Conclusions: :
It is not possible to identify classic CNV based on characteristic morphological features on OCT alone and fundus fluorescein angiography is necessary for correct classification of CNV.
Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound) • imaging/image analysis: clinical