Volumetric Measurement of Peripapillary Hyperreflective Ovoid Masslike Structures in Patients with Optic Disc Drusen

Are PHOMS (Peri papillary hyperreflective ovoid mass-like structures ) with an elevated optic disc still a diagnosis dilemma?

OBJECTIVE

To identify clinical characteristics that would help make or rule out the diagnosis of Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) in patients referred for papilledema (PE) with peripapillary hyperreflective ovoid mass-like structures (PHOMS) DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study SUBJECTS: All patient referred for PE excluding PE with Frisén grade ≥ 3, optic neuritis, ischemic optic neuropathy, compressive optic neuropathy. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Group1= isolated PHOMS Group2= PHOMS associated with IIH METHODS: We analyzed the location of PHOMS based on OCT-EDI and calculated their volume MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: P RNFL,GCC, PHOMS' volume RESULTS: 154 patients (308 eyes) were included, mean age was 29 with female predominance (78%). PHOMS were associated to these etiologies : IIH(38.3%) isolated (35.7%), posterior uveitis (11%),optic disc drusen (ODD)(10%), and tilted optic disc (5%). An MRI was obtained in 83.1% of cases. More than half of the MRIs were interpreted as consistent with IIH. However, only 39.7% of these patients had confirmed IIH with 44.5% of sensitivity and 55.5% of sensibility. PHOMS were overrepresented in the nasal region (95.5%).The location of PHOMS in the superior and/ or inferior quadrant was significantly associated to IIH or optic dusc drusen, while their presence in the temporal or nasal sector was strongly associated to isolated lesions. PHOMS mean and median volume were 1.66 μm3 and 1.50 μm3 respectively. There was a significant difference in PHOMS volume with higher volume in IIH patients (p=0.0037). Follow up of these patients at 3 and 6 months demonstrated no significant changes in visual function, as per visual field mean deviation, and visual acuity measurements as well as Ganglion cell layer (GCL).Mean pRNFL, showed a decrease of -4.225 μm at 3 months and of -6.489 μm at 6 months, when compared to initial measurement independing of the etiology.

CONCLUSION

Isolated PHOMS should be considered as a distinct entity. In asymptomatic patients, PHOMS should be carefully studied. Nasal or temporal location, small volume, stable aspect over the course of weeks or months, are so suggestive of this entity. This strategy would considerably reduce the impact on patients' anxiety and morbidity.

Optic disc drusen: Dystrophic calcification, a potential target for treatment

Optic disc drusen (ODD) are calcified, acellular bodies, seen in the optic nerve head of up to 2% of the population. Although seldomly affecting visual acuity, visual field defects are common, and severe, ischemic complications causing irreversible vision loss are known to occur. Different treatment strategies for ODD have been explored, but so far without success. This review focuses on the unique, calcified property of ODD, describing what we know about ODD pathogenesis and previously tried treatment strategies. In this context, we discuss current knowledge about calcium and pathological calcifications, including intracranial and ocular calcifications. We also explore some of the obstacles that must be addressed to develop a therapy centred on the concept of calcification, should calcification be identified as a pathogenic factor contributing to vision loss.

Application of novel non-invasive ophthalmic imaging to visualize peripapillary wrinkles, retinal folds and peripapillary hyperreflective ovoid mass-like structures associated with elevated intracranial pressure

Background

Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition, for which clinically useful non-invasive measures have been elusive, in some cases due to their inadequate sensitivity and specificity. Our aim was to evaluate novel non-invasive ophthalmic imaging of selected pathological features seen in elevated ICP, namely peripapillary hyperreflective ovoid mass-like structures (PHOMS), peripapillary wrinkles (PPW) and retinal folds (RF) as potential biomarkers of elevated ICP.

Methods

This single-center pilot study included subjects with untreated or incompletely treated high ICP. The retinas of these subjects were evaluated with averaged en-face optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT retinal cross-sections (OCT B-scans), adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO), and fundus photos.

Results

Seven subjects were included in the study. 6 subjects with high ICP (5 idiopathic intracranial hypertension, 1 medication induced, 30.8 ± 8.6 years, 75% female, 5 with papilledema) and 1 control (20-25 years) were included. PHOMS, PPW and RF were present in all subjects with papilledema, but neither in the high ICP subject without papilledema nor in the control subject. Averaged en-face OCT scans and AOSLO were more sensitive for PPW and RF than OCT B-scans and commercial fundus photos.

Conclusion

PPW, RF and PHOMS volume have potential as non-invasive biomarkers of ICP. Novel imaging modalities may improve sensitivity. However, lack of automated image acquisition and processing limits current widespread adoption in clinical settings. Further research is needed to validate these structures as biomarkers for elevated ICP and improve clinical utility.

Peripapillary hyperreflective ovoid mass-like structures: multimodal imaging and associated diseases

Growing evidence has demonstrated that peripapillary hyperreflective ovoid mass-like structures (PHOMS) are novel structures rather than a subtype of optic disc drusen. They correspond to the laterally bulging herniation of optic nerve fibers and are believed to be the marker of axoplasmic stasis. PHOMS present in a broad spectrum of diseases, including optic disc drusen, tilted disc syndrome, papilloedema, multiple sclerosis, non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, optic neuritis, Leber hereditary optic neuropathy, and so on. We focus on the multimodal imaging features, pathophysiological mechanisms of PHOMS, and their association with multiple diseases and healthy people in this review to deepen the ophthalmologists' understanding of PHOMS. Additionally, we provide some new directions for future research.

Features of Peripapillary Hyperreflective Ovoid Mass-Like Structures in Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Patients and Normal Controls

Purpose

To determine the characteristics of peripapillary hyperreflective ovoid mass-like structures (PHOMS) in patients with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) and in normal adults.

Methods

A total of 406 included eyes were divided into four groups: acute NAION group, chronic NAION group, unaffected group, and normal eyes group. PHOMS were detected on optical coherence tomography slices from optical coherence tomography angiography scans centered on the optic nerve head (ONH). The differences in age, sex, and ONH parameters were investigated between eyes with PHOMS and eyes without PHOMS among groups.

Results

The prevalence of PHOMS in acute eyes (43.48%) and fellow eyes (28.20%) was significantly higher than that in normal eyes (11.76%) (acute vs. normal, P < 0.001; fellow vs. normal, P = 0.014). In the acute group, the PHOMS score of size was negatively correlated with age in acute eyes (r = -0.486, P = 0.03). The size of PHOMS was negatively correlated with age and cup/disc ratio and positively correlated with retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in the nasal and inferior sectors in the normal groups. No differences in age, sex, ONH parameters, or visual field defects were found between eyes with PHOMS and eyes without PHOMS.

Conclusions

The prevalence of PHOMS increased significantly in acute nonoptic disc drusen (NODD)-NAION eyes and fellow eyes. PHOMS could also be found among normal adults. PHOMS may be a nonspecific sign secondary to ONH edema and axoplasmic stasis.

Translational Relevance

The high prevalence of PHOMS in acute NODD-NAION eyes may indicate axoplasmic stasis secondary to tissue edema.

Peripapillary hyper-reflective ovoid mass-like structures (PHOMS): clinical significance, associations, and prognostic implications in ophthalmic conditions

Pioneering advancements in optical coherence tomography (OCT) have facilitated the discernment of peripapillary hyper-reflective ovoid mass-like structures (PHOMS), prevalent neuro-ophthalmological findings associated with an array of ophthalmic conditions, such as optic disc drusen (ODD), papilledema, myopic/tilted optic discs, non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION), and optic neuritis. Despite an expanding corpus of research, numerous inquiries persist concerning their clinical significance, correlations with ocular afflictions, and prognostic implications. This comprehensive review endeavors to impart an in-depth comprehension of PHOMS, encompassing facets like conceptualization, detection, pathogenesis, and associations with diverse ophthalmic conditions. Furthermore, we underscore several unresolved quandaries and suggest prospective avenues for future exploration.

Peripapillary hyperreflective ovoid masslike structures in a pediatric population referred for suspected papilledema

BACKGROUND

Peripapillary hyperreflective ovoid masslike structures (PHOMS) are now considered a common cause of pseudopapilledema in the pediatric population.

METHODS

The medical records of all patients ≤18 years of age with PHOMS, confirmed on optical coherence tomography, seen at single pediatric neuro-ophthalmology clinic between 2017 and 2021 were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

A total of 47 patients (35 females), with median age of 12.7 years at initial visit, were included. Of these, 24 (51%) of patients were optometry referrals. Headache was a common symptom. PHOMS were present bilaterally in all patients and were 360° around the disk in 57 of 94 eyes (61%). Patients with elevated intracranial pressure were more likely to have a reduction in the size of PHOMS at follow-up (P = 0.0133). Of the 47, 40 (85%) had diagnostic neuroimaging as a part of their papilledema workup. The retinal nerve fiber layer was thicker in patients with concomitant papilledema rather than optic disk drusen (P = 0.002) and compared with patients with PHOMS alone (P = 0.00051).

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric patients with PHOMS may be referred because their clinical appearance can be suggestive of papilledema. In our study cohort, PHOMS were bilateral and frequently occurred concurrently with other ophthalmic conditions.