Complete Susac syndrome in a 22-year old male in Colombia: Case report and a review of the literature

[Effects of Susac syndrome on the central vascular structure of the retina-An optical coherence tomography angiography study]

BACKGROUND

Susac syndrome (SS) describes an endotheliopathy of vessels in the central nervous system. Retinal involvement plays a central role in the manifestation of the disease.

OBJECTIVE

This case-control study investigated the macular microvasculature in patients with chronic SS compared to controls using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

12 eyes of 12 patients with SS were compared with age-matched healthy control subjects with regard to their OCT angiographic parameters. The flow density (FD) of different macular layers, foveal avascular zone (FAZ) parameters and central retinal thickness and volume values were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The FD of the choriocapillaris was reduced in Susac patients compared to healthy controls. The FD values of the superficial and deep capillary plexus of the inner retina, parameters of the FAZ as well as central retinal thickness and volume showed no significant differences between the two groups.

DISCUSSION

Treated chronic SS does not appear to significantly affect the vascular and structural composition of the central inner retina; however, differences in the choriocapillaris indicate changes in deeper, highly vascularized capillary layers.