Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To identify the histological feature of branching vascular network in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) . Methods: We examined 8 eyes of 7 patients (4 males, 3 females) with PCV using OCT1 and OCT3. Patient’s age ranged 55–82 years (mean,68.9). Indocyanine green angiography demonstrated branching vascular networks and polyplike or aneurismal dilatations at terminal branches in all 8 eyes. Cross–sectional images of OCT1 and 3 were obtained in each eye by scanning line through the branching vascular networks and polypoidal structures. Results: OCT1 and 3 showed prominent anterior protrusion of the highly reflective layer of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in the area of polypoidal structure in all 8 eyes. Although branching vascular networks were observed as slight RPE elevation in 2 of 8 eyes in OCT1, OCT3 demonstrated a double layer separation (double layer sign) in the highly reflective layer of the RPE and choriocapillaris in 5 of 8 eyes. The five eyes with double layer sign had serous retinal detachment. Conclusions:OCT3 demonstrated a double layer separation of the highly reflective layer of the RPE and choriocapillaris seen by OCT1 in the area of branching vascular network. Double layer sign may have a diagnostic value indicating the vascular network in PCV.
Keywords: age–related macular degeneration • imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound) • choroid: neovascularization