SUBFOVEAL NODULE IN COATS' DISEASE: Toward an Updated Classification Predicting Visual Prognosis

Unusual anterior and posterior segment features of coats disease

PURPOSE

To report the clinical course and management of unusual anterior and posterior segment features of Coats disease and their relation to the age of the patients to increase the awareness towards these rare clinical features rarely described in the current literature.

METHODS

A retrospective descriptive review of 45 eyes of 45 patients affected by Coats disease was conducted at the Retinoblastoma Referral Center and Ophthalmology Unit of the University of Siena in Italy analyzing data from 2000 to 2022. Medical records and images were revised to find some cases presenting unusual anterior and posterior segment features in patients affected by Coats disease.We identified therefore 4 unusual clinical conditions: retinal macrocysts, anterior chamber cholesterolosis, fovea-sparing Coats disease and secondary vasoproliferative tumor.

RESULTS

Two patients presented with retinal macrocyst (2/45  =  4.4%), one with anterior chamber cholesterolosis (1/45  =  2.2%), two with fovea sparing Coats disease (2/45  =  4.4%) and one with vasoproliferative tumor associated (1/45  =  2.2%) for a total of six (6/45  =  13.3%) patients manifesting unusual anterior or posterior segment features in Coats disease.

CONCLUSION

Unusual anterior and posterior segment features of Coats disease such as retinal macrocyst and anterior chamber cholesterolosis have been more frequently reported in younger children while fovea-sparing and vasoproliferative tumors have been more commonly described in older patients. Age is then a strong prognostic marker which allows to distinguish two different phenotypes of Coats disease: patients younger and older than 3 years old with more aggressive and milder phenotype respectively.

Triple Trouble with Triple Solutions: A Unique Case Report of a Severe Exudative Retinal Detachment Accompanied by Retinal Traction and Two Retinal Holes in Coats Disease

Introduction

Coats disease is a rare vasculature pathology that usually presents as retinal telangiectasia with possible progression to exudative retinal detachment (RD). Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections, cryotherapy, laser photocoagulation, and surgery are commonly used to control the disease and prevent its progression. Although iatrogenic tractional RDs secondary to anti-VEGF injections have been reported in patients with Coats disease, RDs in Coats disease are exudative, secondary to retinal exudation and vascular abnormalities. In this article, we present the first reported case of a severe exudative RD accompanied by retinal traction and two retinal holes in a patient with Coats disease.

Case Presentation

A 32-year-old male initially presented with Coats disease stage 2A, which then progressed to 3A1 within a month of close follow-ups, finally leading to exudative RD. Following cryotherapy and bevacizumab injections, the exudative RD progressed, with the emergence of retinal traction and two retinal holes. This complex case was successfully treated with a scleral buckle vitrectomy accompanied by radial elements to support the RD, pars plana vitrectomy, silicon oil tamponade, and post-surgical bevacizumab injections. Six months following the surgical intervention, the patient's vision is restored at 20/30, and retinal imaging shows a totally flattened retina.

Conclusion

We present the first reported case of a severe exudative RD accompanied by retinal traction and two retinal holes in a patient with Coats disease. The combination of surgical treatment and bevacizumab injections is thought to have collectively contributed to our patient's favorable outcome.

Anterior Uveitis and Coats Disease in a 16-Year-Old Girl with Noonan Syndrome-A Case Report

Background: Noonan syndrome (NS) represents a fairly common genetic disorder with a highly variable phenotype. Its features include inherited heart defects, characteristic facial features, short stature, and mild retardation of motor skills. Case presentation: A 16-year-old Caucasian girl with NS reported visual deterioration, photophobia, and pain in the right eye (RE). The initial best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.3 in the RE. An examination demonstrated conjunctival and ciliary body hyperemia, keratic precipitates, and flare in the anterior chamber. In addition, post-hemorrhagic floaters, tortuous vessels, and an epiretinal membrane in the RE were present. Diagnosis of unilateral anterior uveitis was made, and this resolved after the use of topical steroids and cycloplegic drops. Due to the presence of retinal telangiectasias and extraocular exudates (consistent with Coats' disease (CD) stage 2A) in the RE, laser therapy was performed. The patient remains under constant follow-up, and after one year, the BCVA in the RE was 0.7. Conclusions: Here, we report the clinical characteristics, genetic findings, and retinal imaging results of a patient with NS. To our knowledge, this is, to date, the first report of an association of NS with a PTPN11 mutation with anterior uveitis and CD.

FURTHER EVIDENCE AGAINST BILATERAL MANIFESTATION OF COATS DISEASE IN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY OF THE MACULA

PURPOSE

Recent studies have questioned the traditional view, which regards Coats disease as a strictly unilateral entity. Applying optical coherence tomography angiography, this prospective, monocentric study investigates quantitative capillary changes of the macula associated with Coats disease.

METHODS

Twenty-four eyes (4 untreated, 8 pre-treated) of 12 patients with stage 2 Coats disease (age range: 9-61 years) and 15 eyes of healthy, age-matched controls from the University of Muenster Medical Center, Germany received macular optical coherence tomography angiography measurements of the superficial, deep, and choriocapillary capillary plexus. Flow density and parameters related to the foveal avascular zone were compared between Coats eyes and fellow eyes, and between fellow eyes and control eyes. Additional subanalyses investigated changes based on disease stage.

RESULTS

Flow density did not differ between fellow eyes of Coats disease patients and control eyes in any of the parameters investigated. Comparison of Coats eyes to their respective fellow eyes revealed Coats disease to be associated with lower flow density in superficial, deep, and choriocapillary capillary plexus regions, irrespective of disease stage (all P < 0.03). There were no noticeable differences regarding the size or symmetry of the foveal avascular zone.

CONCLUSION

In light of the recent discussion around the unilateral character of Coats disease, this trial provides evidence against a bilateral presentation of vascular changes in the macula.

Optical Coherence Tomography and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Pediatric Retinal Diseases

Indirect ophthalmoscopy and handheld retinal imaging are the most common and traditional modalities for the evaluation and documentation of the pediatric fundus, especially for pre-verbal children. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) allows for in vivo visualization that resembles histology, and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) allows for non-invasive depth-resolved imaging of the retinal vasculature. Both OCT and OCTA were extensively used and studied in adults, but not in children. The advent of prototype handheld OCT and OCTA have allowed for detailed imaging in younger infants and even neonates in the neonatal care intensive unit with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). In this review, we discuss the use of OCTA and OCTA in various pediatric retinal diseases, including ROP, familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR), Coats disease and other less common diseases. For example, handheld portable OCT was shown to detect subclinical macular edema and incomplete foveal development in ROP, as well as subretinal exudation and fibrosis in Coats disease. Some challenges in the pediatric age group include the lack of a normative database and the difficulty in image registration for longitudinal comparison. We believe that technological improvements in the use of OCT and OCTA will improve our understanding and care of pediatric retina patients in the future.

Clinical manifestation, course and treatment results of Coats disease in children

Purpose: to analyze the clinical manifestations, course, and results of treatment of Coats disease in children. Materials and methods. We performed a retrospective analysis of medical records of 59 patients with Coats retinitis (83 % were boys) who had been comprehensively examined and treated between 2018 and 2021. After the diagnosis was verified, the children were hospitalized for treatment. Retinal laser coagulation was performed on 61 eyes, angiogenesis inhibitors were administered on 1 eye, and 5 eyes received microsurgical interventions. Results. At the time of disease detection, the children’s age varied from 1 to 16 years. In 97 % of cases, the process was unilateral. An improvement of the anatomical condition and the eye-preserving effect were achieved in 87 %. Visual acuity could only be increased in 19 eyes (31.1 %), all with the initial or the advanced stages of Coats retinitis. Proceeding from our experience, the analysis of polymorphism of clinical manifestations, functional prognosis and differentiated approach to treatment depending on the prevailing clinical symptoms, we suggest a new variant of clinical classification of Coats retinitis. Conclusion. In order to ensure a timely diagnosis of the disease, a very thorough examination of patients in the first decade of life is required. Only an early diagnosis and timely treatment can help achieve not only an eye-preserving effect but also functional results.

Coats disease in female population: A comparison of clinical presentation and outcomes

Purpose

To compare clinical characteristics at presentation and outcomes of Coats disease between females and males.

Methods

In this retrospective, consecutive case series we included all children diagnosed with Coats disease in a single tertiary referral center. Initial clinical presentation, treatment and outcomes were collected.

Results

A total of 158 children were included, of whom 29 (18.3%) were females and 11 (6.9%) had bilateral involvement. Age at diagnosis and disease stage were similar between females and males. Females had more bilateral involvement (p &lt; 0.001) and tended to have a worse visual acuity at diagnosis (p = 0.05). At last follow-up, visual acuity and anatomical outcome after treatment were similar between genders.

Conclusion

Female patients with Coats disease had more bilateral involvement and tended to have worse visual acuity at presentation. Clinical presentation and outcomes seemed to be similar between genders.

Fovea-threatening and fovea-involving peripheral Coats disease: effects of posture and intervention

BACKGROUND

We believe that our experience with patients presenting with Coats disease and macular sparing should be shared with our colleagues. We would like to show the effect of posture and prompt intervention in cases with fovea-threatening and/or fovea-involving peripheral Coats disease (FTPCD). This association has been poorly debated in our specialty and literature. We call the attention for the unexpexted scenario of observing the lost of the fovea during some types of traditional and prompt interventional treatments of these cases with previous 20/20 vision (something that we have been studying and observing for many years). In order to publish our best representative cases, we have chosen 8 Brazilian patients (age range, 7-62 years; 5 male) with FTPCD. All patients underwent multimodal imaging and different treatments (observation, sleep-posture repositioning, laser, intraocular steroids, and/or anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy). All patients, initially, informed to adopt a sleeping lateral-down position, favoring exudation shifting to the fovea pre-treatment. Most promptly-treated patients in this way (n = 4), developed subretinal fluid and exudates in the macula and some had irreversible central visual loss (n = 3). Patients with recent fovea-involving exudation who changed postural sleep position (to protect the foveal area) before and during treatment fared better, with some preserved central vision and an intact fovea (n = 5). The fundus status was correlated with the gravitational effects of posture before and after treatment. Despite prepared as an observational/interventional study, with a small number of cases, the most difficult part is documenting the sleep position of these patients and its influence in the outcomes as there is not good way to prove how well or poorly the positioning occurred in our cases. Finally, we also intended to call the attention to the fact that Coats disease must be studied in all its clinical stage variants and not only seen as a potential blinding and incurable ocular disease.

CASE PRESENTATION

This study is a retrospective and/or interventional analysis of eight cases with a less severe clinical variant of classic Coats disease that we refer to as fovea-threatening and fovea-involving peripheral Coats disease (FTPCD). All cases were unilateral with no systemic disease or family history of Coats disease. The bilateral anterior segment and intraocular pressure were normal in all patients. The characteristics of all patients are shown in the Table.

CONCLUSION

The funduscopic features of FTPCD are fundamental to disease understanding and optimal management. Habitual posturing may affect the fundus morphologic features of retinal exudation as observed in all current patients with exudative peripheral Coats disease. When sleep habitual posture is not observed in patients with FTPCD, the effects of prompt invasive treatments can cause rapid visual loss because of foveal subretinal pooling of exudates post-treatment. Initial vigilant adjusting of the habitual sleep posture for several patients with FTPCD, before the indication of traditional invasive treatments (laser and/or pharmacologic medications) can result in improved vision and fundoscopic morphologic features.

EVIDENCE AGAINST A CONTRALATERAL COATS PHENOTYPE BY OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY

PURPOSE

To evaluate the laterality of Coats disease by analyzing optical coherence tomography angiography features in affected, fellow, and control eyes.

METHODS

Patients with Coats disease who underwent optical coherence tomography angiography were retrospectively reviewed. Healthy eyes of age-matched patients served as controls. Automated optical coherence tomography angiography determination of foveal avascular zone size and vascular density of superficial capillary plexus and deep capillary plexus was recorded.

RESULTS

Thirty-four patients with Coats disease (13 with bilateral optical coherence tomography angiography) and 24 controls were included. The foveal avascular zone was larger in affected eyes compared with fellow eyes (P = 0.004). Vascular density was decreased in affected eyes compared with fellow eyes in the superficial capillary plexus and deep capillary plexus whole images (P = 0.047 and P = 0.007) and in the deep capillary plexus at the fovea (P = 0.001). Vascular density was significantly reduced only in the deep capillary plexus in Stage 1 or 2A patients but in both plexuses in patients with Stage 2B1. No differences were shown on foveal avascular zone and vascular density values between fellow eyes of patients with Coats disease and controls.

CONCLUSION

The foveal avascular zone is enlarged, and vascular density is decreased in affected eyes with Coats disease, but no differences are seen between fellow and control eyes, confirming the unilateral nature of the disease.

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Pediatric Retinal Disorders

Purpose:

The rapid and noninvasive nature of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) makes it a potentially valuable tool for imaging the retina in children. With the optimization of tabletop systems and the development of experimental handheld OCTA devices, there is expanded potential for OCTA in the clinic and the operating room. This article reviews the utility of OCTA in some of the most common pediatric retinal disorders.

Methods:

A thorough computerized PubMed search was performed to review relevant published journal articles to contextualize and identify the role of OCTA in common retinal disorders with vascular involvement affecting children. Pertinent results and findings from original investigations and case reports were summarized.

Results:

The ability to quickly collect both qualitative and quantitative information about retinal microvasculature, in both the clinic and operating room settings, with OCTA, has led to the uncovering of microvascular features and morphologic changes in many pediatric retinal disorders such as Coats Disease, familial exudative vitreoretinopathy, incontinentia pigmenti, sickle cell retinopathy, Stargardt Disease, X-linked juvenile retinoschisis, retinopathy of prematurity, diabetic retinopathy in type 1 diabetes, pediatric retinal tumors, and choroidal neovascularization.

Conclusions:

OCTA is a relevant tool to aid early detection, guide intervention, monitor treatment response, and understand pathogenesis in a number of pediatric retinal disorders.

Phenotype of Coats disease in females

Objective

To determine whether the clinical presentation of Coats disease differs between males and females.

Methods and analysis

Records of patients diagnosed with Coats disease at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data, main reason for initial consultation, comprehensive ocular examination at diagnosis and modalities of treatments during the follow-up were recorded.

Results

Records from 114 patients with Coats disease were analysed. Ninety-eight patients (86%) were male and 16 (14%) female. Mean age at diagnosis was 6.2 years±6.1 in males and 7.4 years±4.7 in females. The main initial reason for consultation was strabismus in males and decreased visual acuity in females. Stage severity at diagnosis was similar in the two groups with half of the patients presenting with stage 2B2 or lower. The extension of peripheral retinal telangiectasia was also similar (mean: 6.2±3.4 and 5.8±4.0, respectively), as was the extension of intraretinal exudation (mean: 5.0±4.5 and 5.8±4.4) and the frequency of a subfoveal nodule at diagnosis (40% vs 30%, respectively). There was no distinction between the number of laser photocoagulation or cryotherapy sessions required for both groups during the follow-up.

Conclusions

Coats disease presentation does not differ between genders despite being much rarer in females. We propose a pathogenic mechanism accounting for the gender-dependent incidence combined with gender-independent expressivity of Coats disease.

Coats' disease: trends and long-term treatment outcomes in a tertiary referral centre

Background:

The long-term treatment outcomes in Coat’s disease – particularly in the era of newer pharmacotherapies such as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents and depot steroids – are poorly understood.

Aim:

To describe the clinical features and treatment outcomes of 148 eyes with Coats’ disease assessed in a referral centre over 30 years.

Materials and methods:

We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with Coats’ disease between 1 June 1987 and 31 July 2017. The demographic, clinical and treatment data were collected and long-term functional and anatomical outcomes were analysed based on the treatment either with conventional therapy (cryo/laser) or along with adjuvants like intravitreal steroids or anti-VEGFs.

Results:

The mean age at presentation was 15.22 years (median 11). Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy was the most common referral diagnosis, 76/148 (51.5%), followed by Coats’ disease, 37/148 (25%), and retinoblastoma, 35/148 (23.6%). Stage 3B was most common at presentation (31.8%), followed by 2B (22.3%) and 2A (16.9%). A total of 107 patients were treated either with conventional therapy or in combination with adjuvants. The mean follow-up period was 24.95 months. The visual acuity improved from baseline logMAR 2.17 (Snellen-20/2958) to logMAR 1.88 (Snellen-20/1517) at final follow-up (p = 0.004). The improvement in visual acuity was better when the presenting BCVA was <1 logMAR (Snellen 20/200), p = 0.004. No statistically significant change in BCVA was noted between conventional and adjuvant groups, p = 0.5. However, the final anatomical outcome was good in 78/99 (78.8%) in the conventional group and 45/49 (91.8%) in the adjuvant group, respectively (p = 0.046).

Conclusion:

In this series of patients with Coats’ disease over three decades, the use of intravitreal steroids or anti-VEGFs as adjuvants resulted in better anatomical outcomes. A better baseline visual acuity, lower stage of the disease, and older age at presentation were found to be the factors leading to favourable visual outcomes.

Summary

In the current series of 148 eyes with Coats’ disease, adjuvant treatment with intravitreal steroids or anti-VEGFs resulted in better outcomes as compared with conventional cryotherapy or laser photocoagulation alone. Patients with Coats’ disease who had presented with better visual acuity at baseline, lower stage of the disease and older age had better final visual outcomes.

Clinical Characteristics of Pediatric Coats' Disease With Retinal Cyst Using Wide-Angle Fluorescein Angiography

Purpose: To assess the demographic and treatment features of pediatric patients of Coats' disease with retinal cyst using wide-angle FA.

Design: A retrospective, hospital based, cross-sectional study.

Participants: Pediatric patients of Coats' disease underwent wide-angle FA.

Methods: A retrospective review of pediatric patients of Coats' disease who underwent wide-angle FA at a single center from January 2015 to July 2020. Demographic and treatment features were compared between patients with or without retinal cyst.

Main Outcome Measures: Demographic and treatment outcomes.

Results: There were 123 pediatric Coats' patients in our study, and 18.70% (23/123) of the patients developed complications with retinal cyst, 73.9% (17/23) of the retinal cysts were located in the inferior-temporal quadrant and 82.6% (19/23) of the retinal cysts were located in the peripheral retina anterior to the vortex veins. Compared with patients without retinal cyst, patients with retinal cyst had more clock-hours of telangiectasia on FA (7.32 vs. 5.41, p = 0.031), and may need more total treatments (7.47 vs. 3.53, p = 0.023) including laser photocoagulation (4.08 vs. 2.31, p = 0.019) or intravitreal anti-VEGF (3.13 vs. 2.23, p = 0.039), and also required a longer time for telangiectasia resolution (22.33 vs. 18.53 months, p = 0.043).

Conclusion: Pediatric patients with Coats' disease complicated by retinal cyst presented with more clock-hours of telangiectasia on FA and needed more total treatments and longer time for telangiectasia resolution.

An Evaluation of the Microvasculature of Macular Nodules in Coats Disease Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography: A Report of 3 Cases

Purpose:

This work aimed to examine the microvasculature of macular fibrosis in Coats disease.

Methods:

Three boys (aged 3, 4, and 6 years) with Coats disease (stages 2B to 3A2) and macular fibrotic nodules were imaged using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) on the Spectralis spectral-domain OCT tabletop and investigational portable Spectralis Flex module (version 6.9, Heidelberg Engineering).

Results:

In 2 eyes, a neovascular complex was observed in the avascular slab on OCTA. This neovascular complex had vessels connected to diving vessels from the superficial vascular complex that traveled through the deep vascular complex to the avascular complex. In the third eye, no neovascular complex was observed on OCTA at presentation, but on subsequent examinations fluorescein leakage was observed and cross-sectional OCTA further confirmed the presence of angiographic flow in the nodule.

Conclusions:

OCTA demonstrates the presence of type 3 neovascularization in fibrotic nodules in Coats disease.

Resolution of Foveal Lipid Deposition in Adult-Onset Coats Disease With Combined Focal Laser Photocoagulation and Anti-VEGF Therapy

A major cause of poor visual prognosis in Coats disease is the formation of fibrovascular changes following dense foveal lipid deposition. The authors document the multimodal imaging findings of a 38-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man with adult-onset Coats disease who presented with macular edema and foveal lipid accumulation. Thermal laser targeting individual capillary macroaneurysms combined with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy was performed. Although there was a subsequent increase in foveal lipid immediately following the resolution of macular edema, these lipids largely resolved, leaving behind no evidence macular neovascular fibrosis. This report highlights the potential protective effect of combination therapy with thermal laser and intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for macular exudation associated with Coats disease. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2021;52:396-399.].

Subretinal Mononuclear Cells in Coats' Disease Studied with RPE65 and CD163: Evidence for Histiocytoid Pigment Epithelial Cells

PURPOSE

To evaluate the mononuclear cells in the subretinal exudate in Coats' disease.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

Five enucleated globes and 1 cytology sample from a patient with Coats' disease and 1 case of chronic retinal detachment following repair of an open globe injury were examined immunohistochemically to identify intraretinal and subretinal exudative cells. The 2 biomarkers were RPE65 for retinal pigment epithelium and CD163 for histiocytes, each tagged with different chromogens, yellow for pigment epithelium and purple for CD163-positive (CD163⁺) monocytes/histiocytes. Expression levels were sought from both biomarkers together and singly. A color shift to red in the cells' chromogenic reaction indicated the simultaneous presence of the 2 biomarkers.

RESULTS

Most of the mononuclear cells in Coats' disease samples were CD163⁺ (purple), and a minority were RPE65⁺ (yellow). An intermediate number of cells were RPE65⁺/CD163⁺ (orange-red). The eye with a chronic retinal detachment had an equal distribution of CD163⁺ and RPE65⁺/CD163⁺ cells.

CONCLUSIONS

RPE has several well-delineated phenotypes and functions. In normal visual physiology, the pigment epithelium supports photoreceptors and participates in their renewal by phagocytosis of the tips of the photoreceptors. The expression of CD163, a feature of hematopoietically derived monocytes, together with RPE65 in the retinal pigment epithelium, supports differentiation toward histiocytes. Yellow staining of detached pigment epithelial cells were rare. The presence of histiocytoid pigment epithelium at the Bruch membrane probably also has implications for macular degeneration.

Macular fibrosis in Coats' disease demonstrated by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography - new data toward pathophysiology

PURPOSE

To analyze if Segmented Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (SS OCT-A) can provide additional information on morphology and pathophysiology of macular fibrosis in Coats' patients.

METHODS

A consecutive case series of three male patients (5, 7 and 15 years old), with Coats' disease-related macular fibrosis (stage 2b-2 patients, 3b-1 patient). SS OCT-A 3×3 mm macular scans of affected eyes were performed.

RESULTS

In all three cases the inner portion of macular fibrosis displayed a dense network of vessels, continuing into deeper layers. This structure was similar to that observed in retinal angiomatous proliferations (RAP). There was associated loss of the foveal avascular zone. In one case we observed evolution of the lesion.

CONCLUSION

SS-OCT imaging of macular fibrosis in Coats' disease reveals a distinct intralesional vascular structure with elements resembling RAP, probably developing as a secondary process.

MR Imaging Features to Differentiate Retinoblastoma from Coats' Disease and Persistent Fetal Vasculature

Simple Summary

Retinoblastoma is a rare cancer that develops in the retina of children. Accurate differentiation between retinoblastoma and conditions that show similarities with retinoblastoma (pseudoretinoblastoma or retinoblastoma mimickers) is vital for guiding treatment. The most common pseudoretinoblastoma conditions are Coats’ disease and persistent fetal vasculature (PFV). In this study, we aimed to improve pretreatment differentiation between these diseases on MR imaging. We compared pre-treatment MR images of retinoblastoma, Coats’ disease and PFV on 20 predefined MR imaging features. An assessment strategy was proposed incorporating MR imaging features that best differentiate retinoblastoma from pseudoretinoblastoma, including three newly identified MR imaging features.

Abstract

Retinoblastoma mimickers, or pseudoretinoblastoma, are conditions that show similarities with the pediatric cancer retinoblastoma. However, false-positive retinoblastoma diagnosis can cause mistreatment, while false-negative diagnosis can cause life-threatening treatment delay. The purpose of this study is to identify the MR imaging features that best differentiate between retinoblastoma and the most common pseudoretinoblastoma diagnoses: Coats’ disease and persistent fetal vasculature (PFV). Here, six expert radiologists performed retrospective assessments (blinded for diagnosis) of MR images of patients with a final diagnosis based on histopathology or clinical follow-up. Associations between 20 predefined imaging features and diagnosis were assessed with exact tests corrected for multiple hypothesis testing. Sixty-six patients were included, of which 33 (50%) were retinoblastoma and 33 (50%) pseudoretinoblastoma patients. A larger eye size, vitreous seeding, and sharp-V-shaped retinal detachment were almost exclusively found in retinoblastoma (p < 0.001–0.022, specificity 93–97%). Features that were almost exclusively found in pseudoretinoblastoma included smaller eye size, ciliary/lens deformations, optic nerve atrophy, a central stalk between optic disc and lens, Y-shaped retinal detachment, and absence of calcifications (p < 0.001–0.022, specificity 91–100%). Additionally, three newly identified imaging features were exclusively present in pseudoretinoblastoma: intraretinal macrocysts (p < 0.001, 38% [9/24] in Coats’ disease and 20% [2/10] in PFV), contrast enhancement outside the solid lesion (p < 0.001, 30% [7/23] in Coats’ disease and 57% [4/7] in PFV), and enhancing subfoveal nodules (38% [9/24] in Coats’ disease). An assessment strategy was proposed for MR imaging differentiation between retinoblastoma and pseudoretinoblastoma, including three newly identified differentiating MR imaging features.

Fovea-sparing coats disease: A rare clinical entity

PURPOSE

To evaluate the rarity, clinical features and management of Coats disease characterized by fovea-sparing enhancing the importance of pediatric retinal screening and early management to maintain a good visual acuity.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of approximately 40 patients affected by Coats disease between 2000 and 2020 at the Retinoblastoma Referral Center and Ophthalmology unit of the University of Siena in Italy.

RESULTS

Two patients with fovea sparing Coats disease were included. Both presented an extrafoveal Coats disease (stage 2A by Shields classification) when they were 5 and 6 years old respectively.They had no anterior findings and a presenting visual acuity of 20/20 reflecting the early stage and a milder phenotype of the disease which are indeed more likely to be found in patients older than 3 years at presentation.Both presented telangiectasia and retinal exudation in the affected eye. Standard Argon laser photocoagulation and subsequently Cryotherapy were performed in the telangiectatic retinal periphery of both patients obtaining an excellent control and regression of the disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Careful pediatric retinal screening and early management are crucial to ensure a good visual prognosis in such an early feature of Coats disease as fovea sparing since this condition unfortunately tends to recall the physician's attention in more advanced stages.Due to the extremely poor number of articles regarding such a rare feature of Coats disease like fovea sparing, we report our experience.

SUBCLINICAL MACULAR CHANGES AND DISEASE LATERALITY IN PEDIATRIC COATS DISEASE DETERMINED BY QUANTITATIVE OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY

Optical coherence tomography angiography quantitative data in pediatric eyes with unilateral Coats disease found significant differences in vascular density and foveal avascular zone area between disease and fellow eyes that precede clinical signs.

Purpose:

To determine vascular change at the macula in both eyes in unilateral pediatric Coats disease using optical coherence tomography angiography.

Methods:

Retrospective case-series. Thirteen eyes of pediatric patients with a diagnosis of unilateral Coats disease of various stages were compared with 13 fellow eyes. Optical coherence tomography angiography images were acquired using the RTVue XR Avanti. Scans were analyzed with novel projection artifact removal software and improved segmentation. Vascular density and foveal avascular zone area were calculated.

Results:

Vascular density was significantly decreased in eyes with Coats disease in comparison with fellow eyes in both the superficial capillary plexus and deep capillary plexus (43.7 ± 4.7 vs. 45.9 ± 4.4 [P = 0.000] and 43.0 ± 6.3 vs. 50.3 ± 2.2 [P = 0.001], respectively). The difference was also significant for most sectors of the macula. Foveal avascular zone area was significantly larger in eyes with Coats disease in comparison with fellow eyes (0.29 ± 0.1 vs. 0.24 ± 0.09 [P = 0.003]). These significant differences appeared as early as Stage 2A, preceding clinical findings.

Conclusion:

The findings support the unilaterality of Coats disease and show that vascular changes on optical coherence tomography angiography precede clinical staging of the condition.

[Tumors and Pseudotumors of the Retina and the Ciliary Epithelium]

The variety of retinal tumors ranges from harmless lesions to benign, locally destructive tumors and life-threatening diseases, and they are not always easy to distinguish from each other. The differential diagnosis includes real neoplasia, reactive inflammatory pathologies and vascular anomalies of the fundus as well. If possible, the diagnosis should be made clinically in order to avoid the danger of tumor cell spread via invasive diagnostic tools. Nevertheless, genetic analysis of the pathology is gaining more importance and adds to the precise characterization of the diagnosis. Depending on the tumor entity, therapy in a specialized center is necessary.

Tumoren und Pseudotumoren der Netzhaut und des Ziliarepithels

Die Varietät retinaler Tumoren reicht von harmlosen Läsionen über benigne, lokal destruierende Tumoren bis hin zu lebensbedrohlichen Erkrankungen. Nicht immer lassen sie sich einfach voneinander unterscheiden. Die Diagnose sollte nach Möglichkeit klinisch gestellt werden wegen der Gefahr einer Tumorzellverschleppung durch invasive Diagnostik. Jedoch rückt die genetische Charakterisierung der Läsion immer mehr in den Vordergrund. Je nach Entität ist eine Therapie in einem spezialisierten Zentrum notwendig.

SPECTRAL DOMAIN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY FINDINGS IN COATS DISEASE

PURPOSE

To evaluate microstructural retinal abnormalities on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) imaging of eyes with Coats disease.

METHODS

This is a multicenter, retrospective study in which SD-OCT images of patients with treatment-naive Coats disease were correlated with clinical examination and visual acuity and, when available, followed longitudinally over time.

RESULTS

Macular SD-OCT of 27 eyes with Coats disease revealed intraretinal edema (59%), intraretinal exudates (67%), subretinal fluid (37%), subretinal exudate (48%), ellipsoid zone disruption (52%), external limiting membrane disruption (41%), and subfoveal nodule (26%). All these microstructural abnormalities correlated with worse baseline and final visual acuities (P < 0.05) on univariate analysis, except for intraretinal edema which exhibited a nonstatistically significant trend toward worse baseline visual acuity (P = 0.16). Within stage 2b eyes, external limiting membrane disruption and subretinal nodule on SD-OCT were associated with worse baseline visual acuity (P = 0.02 for both), and there was a trend toward worse final visual acuity with external limiting membrane disruption and subretinal nodule (P = 0.17 for both) and worse baseline (P = 0.08) and final (P = 0.13) visual acuities with ellipsoid zone disruption. No microstructural abnormalities were noted on OCT of fellow eyes.

CONCLUSION

Spectral domain OCT can identify microstructural abnormalities in Coats disease that are associated on univariate analysis with worse baseline visual acuity and visual prognosis. Further larger studies are necessary.

[Retinoblastoma]

Retinoblastomas represent 6% of all malignant tumors in children under 5 years old, which untreated lead to blindness in the affected eye and death due to metastases. The main symptoms are leukocoria and strabismus, which if possible, always necessitate a clarification within 1 week for exclusion of a retinoblastoma. The most frequent differential diagnoses are Coats' disease and persistent fetal vasculature (PFV) as well as other intraocular tumors, in particular astrocytomas. Systemic chemotherapy, if necessary in combination with laser hyperthermia, local chemotherapy and brachytherapy are the most important methods for eye-preserving treatment. Advanced cases mostly necessitate enucleation.

Predictors of enucleation in Coats disease: analysis of 259 eyes of 259 patients at a single center

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effects of clinical features associated with enucleation in eyes with Coats disease.

METHODS

The medical records of all patients with Coats disease at the Ocular Oncology, Wills Eye Hospital from November 1, 1973, to July 31, 2018, were reviewed retrospectively. The clinical features pertaining to need for ultimate enucleation and time to enucleation were compared.

RESULTS

The records of 351 eyes were reviewed, of which 259 had follow-up at our center and 32 (12%) were managed with enucleation. Reasons for enucleation included neovascular glaucoma (n = 24 [75%]), possible tumor (6 [19%]), and phthisis bulbi (2 [6%]). Compared to nonenucleated eyes, enucleated eyes had more extensive clock hour involvement of telangiectasia (P < 0.001), light bulb aneurysms (P < 0.001), exudation (P < 0.001), and subretinal fluid (P < 0.001). On adjusted analysis by binomial logistic regression, variables predictive of enucleation included presence of iris neovascularization (P = 0.01), ultrasonographic retinal detachment (P = 0.004), open-funnel retinal detachment (P = 0.04), closed-funnel retinal detachment (P = 0.01), ultrasonographic elevation of subretinal fluid by millimeters (P = 0.001), and angiographic extent of light bulb aneurysms by clock hours (P = 0.02). By Kaplan-Meier analysis of 4-year cumulative risk of enucleation, risk factors for enucleation included presence of iris neovascularization (hazard ratio [HR] 31.0; P < 0.001), ultrasonographic retinal detachment (HR 56.2; P < 0.001), open-funnel retinal detachment (HR 2.7; P = 0.01), and closed-funnel retinal detachment (HR 4.5; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical features that predict risk of and time to enucleation in eyes with Coats disease include iris neovascularization, ultrasonographic presence and millimeter-elevation of retinal detachment, and angiographic extent of light bulb aneurysms.

YOUNGER AGE AT PRESENTATION IN CHILDREN WITH COATS DISEASE IS ASSOCIATED WITH MORE ADVANCED STAGE AND WORSE VISUAL PROGNOSIS: A Retrospective Study

PURPOSE

To determine the age distribution of children with Coats disease and the impact of age at diagnosis on the visual prognosis.

METHODS

Consecutive Coats disease cases aged 18 years or younger at diagnosis were retrospectively included. Clinical and imaging parameters were analyzed by comparative, correlation, survival, univariate, and multivariate statistics.

RESULTS

Ninety-eight patients were included. At diagnosis, mean age was 5.4 years ± 4.3 years (1 month-18 years). Younger age at diagnosis was correlated with more severe disease stage (P < 0.0001, r = -0.52), which was confirmed by survival analysis (P < 0.0001). Comparative analysis was performed between patients younger and older than 4 years at diagnosis. Leukocoria or strabismus was more frequent at presentation in patients younger than 4 years (P < 0.0001). Areas of peripheral nonperfusion and peripheral telangiectasia were more extensive at presentation in younger than older patients (P = 0.0003 and P = 0.039). Foveal sparing at diagnosis was less frequent in younger than older patients (2% vs. 23%, P = 0.002). The incidence of structural complications or enucleation during follow-up (mean duration: 5.9 years ± 4.5 years) was higher, and last-recorded visual acuity was lower in younger than older patients (P = 0.001 and P = 0.0009). Final logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution visual acuity was negatively correlated with age at diagnosis (P = 0.001, Spearman r = -0.42). Multivariate analysis indicated that disease stage (P < 0.0001), but not age at diagnosis (P = 0.07), independently influenced the last-recorded visual acuity.

CONCLUSION

Onset of Coats disease in children of younger age is associated with more severe manifestations, more advanced stage, and worse visual outcome. Age, correlated with disease stage, should be considered a prognostic marker in Coats disease.

Conservative management of retinoblastoma: Challenging orthodoxy without compromising the state of metastatic grace. "Alive, with good vision and no comorbidity"

Retinoblastoma is lethal by metastasis if left untreated, so the primary goal of therapy is to preserve life, with ocular survival, visual preservation and quality of life as secondary aims. Historically, enucleation was the first successful therapeutic approach to decrease mortality, followed over 100 years ago by the first eye salvage attempts with radiotherapy. This led to the empiric delineation of a window for conservative management subject to a "state of metastatic grace" never to be violated. Over the last two decades, conservative management of retinoblastoma witnessed an impressive acceleration of improvements, culminating in two major paradigm shifts in therapeutic strategy. Firstly, the introduction of systemic chemotherapy and focal treatments in the late 1990s enabled radiotherapy to be progressively abandoned. Around 10 years later, the advent of chemotherapy in situ, with the capitalization of new routes of targeted drug delivery, namely intra-arterial, intravitreal and now intracameral injections, allowed significant increase in eye preservation rate, definitive eradication of radiotherapy and reduction of systemic chemotherapy. Here we intend to review the relevant knowledge susceptible to improve the conservative management of retinoblastoma in compliance with the "state of metastatic grace", with particular attention to (i) reviewing how new imaging modalities impact the frontiers of conservative management, (ii) dissecting retinoblastoma genesis, growth patterns, and intraocular routes of tumor propagation, (iii) assessing major therapeutic changes and trends, (iv) proposing a classification of relapsing retinoblastoma, (v) examining treatable/preventable disease-related or treatment-induced complications, and (vi) appraising new therapeutic targets and concepts, as well as liquid biopsy potentiality.

Coats disease in 351 eyes: Analysis of features and outcomes over 45 years (by decade) at a single center

Purpose

To assess features and outcomes of Coats disease over 5-decades.

Methods

Retrospective review of Coats disease patients at a single center. Features and outcomes were compared based on decade of presentation.

Results

There were 351 patients with Coats disease. The presenting median age (6 years), male sex (84%), and unilaterality (100%) did not change per decade. Coats disease classification did not change per decade with Stage 1 (1%), Stage 2 (21%), Stage 3 (68%), Stage 4 (6%), and Stage 5 (1%). Clinical features that changed per decade (1970s vs. 1980s vs. 1990s vs. 2000s vs. 2010s) included 1980s features of more eyes with exudation in all 4 quadrants (22% vs. 58% vs. 44% vs. 33% vs. 27, P = 0.01) and total exudative retinal detachment (33% vs. 53% vs. 39% vs. 27% vs. 21%, P < 0.001). Imaging features that changed per decade included 2010s greater fluorescein angiographic extent of retinal non-perfusion in mean clock hours (4 vs. 4 vs. 3 vs. 5 vs. 6, P = 0.003), and 1980s greater mean height of retinal detachment ultrasonographically (5 vs. 12 vs. 5 vs. 5 vs. 4 mm, P < 0.001). Treatment features that changed per decade included 1980s greater primary enucleation (11% vs. 16% vs. 3% vs. 4% vs. 1%, P = 0.001), and 2010s greater use of laser photocoagulation (55% vs. 33% vs. 38% vs. 40% vs. 72%, P < 0.001), sub-Tenon corticosteroid (0% vs. 4% vs. 5% vs. 8% vs. 29%, P < 0.001), and intravitreal anti-VEGF) (0% vs. 4% vs. 2% vs. 13% vs. 18%, P = 0.003). Outcomes that changed per decade included 2010s findings of more complete resolution of subretinal fluid (64% vs. 59% vs. 38% vs. 58% vs. 72%, P = 0.01) and less need for primary/secondary enucleation (17% vs. 27% vs. 14% vs. 13% vs. 6%, P = 0.04).

Conclusion

Eyes with Coats disease in the 1980s demonstrated more advanced findings, often requiring enucleation. Over the decades, greater use of laser photocoagulation and injections has led to improved disease resolution with greater globe salvage.

Coats disease: An overview of classification, management and outcomes

Coats disease is an idiopathic retinal vascular disorder with retinal telangiectasia with intraretinal and/or subretinal exudation without appreciable retinal or vitreal traction. The condition is sporadic with no associated systemic abnormalities. Unilateral involvement in young males is the typical presentation with most cases being diagnosed in the first and second decade of life. Younger the patient, more severe is the presentation and poorer the visual outcome. The management varies with the stage of the disease. Over the years, we have shifted from enucleation to a more conservative approach for the treatment of Coats disease with laser photocoagulation, cryotherapy and surgery for retinal detachment achieving good outcomes. The anti-VEGF agents have come into the scene as important form of adjuvant treatment along with the traditional management options. This article describes the clinical features, underlying pathology, classification and staging, the complications and the management of Coats disease and gives an overview of the changing trends in treatment and outcomes spanning across five decades.

Associations of cytokine concentrations in aqueous humour with retinal vascular abnormalities and exudation in Coats' disease

PURPOSE

To investigate the associations of cytokine concentrations in aqueous humour with the severity of retinal vascular abnormalities, exudation and fibrosis in patients with Coats' disease.

METHODS

Aqueous humour samples were collected in 23 paediatric patients (23 eyes) with Coats' disease and six age-matched control patients (six eyes) with congenital cataract in this cross-sectional, case-control study. Through Cytometric Bead Array technology, six angiogenic, inflammatory and fibrotic cytokines were measured for their concentrations in aqueous humour. Ophthalmologic characteristics including retinal vessel abnormalities, exudation and fibrosis of Coats' disease were also clinically evaluated for analysis.

RESULTS

The aqueous levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (p = 0.006) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the Coats' disease group than in the control group. The concentrations of angiogenin were peaked in eyes with first-grade vessels tortuosity (p < 0.001), and also positively correlated with the severity of retinal capillary abnormalities (r = 0.910, p < 0.001). The concentrations of MCP-1 (r = 0.966, p < 0.001) and VEGF (r = 0. 765, p = 0.002) were significantly correlated with the extent of retinal exudation. The aqueous humour transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) concentrations were higher in eyes with retinal fibrosis than in non-fibrotic eyes with Coats' disease (p = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

In Coats' disease, angiogenin may act as a potential biomarker for retinal vascular abnormalities. The concentrations of VEGF and MCP-1 may positively correlate with the severity of retinal exudation.

Recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of Coats' disease

PURPOSE

To review and summarize the recent progress in the diagnosis and treatment of Coats' disease.

METHODS

Literature was collected from Web of Science, Medline and Pubmed, through searching of these keywords: "Coats' disease", "diagnosis" and "treatment".

RESULTS

Coats' disease is characterized by idiopathic leaky retinal vascular telangiectasia and microvascular abnormalities often accompanied by intraretinal or subretinal exudation and retinal detachment. Neovascular glaucoma and phthisis bulbi often occur in advanced cases. Coats' disease has significant diversity in terms of its clinical presentation and morphology. Anti-VEGF therapy combined with laser photocoagulation for early Coats' disease and anti-VEGF therapy combined with minimally invasive vitrectomy for advanced Coats' disease can achieve good efficacy.

CONCLUSION

Early diagnosis and timely treatment based on clinical stage are critical to retaining the patient's visual function. Patients should be aware that close long-term follow-up is necessary.

Macular Features on Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging Associated With Visual Acuity in Coats' Disease

Purpose

To investigate the association between macular features on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and visual acuity (VA) in Coats' disease.

Methods

Thirty-nine eyes (39 patients) with SD-OCT from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2016 were reviewed for SD-OCT features. Central subfield (CSF) SD-OCT findings were analyzed relative to VA (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) at baseline and final visit (when follow-up ≥ 6 months) and across visits.

Results

Mean VA ± standard deviation at baseline (37 eyes) was 0.92 ± 0.82. SD-OCT features associated with worse VA included, for treatment-naïve eyes (n = 21), outer retinal atrophy (ORA) (1.18 ± 0.34 with versus 0.20 ± 0.30 without, P = 0.005), subretinal fluid (SRF) (1.80 ± 0.63 vs. 0.63 ± 0.50, P = 0.008), bright hyperreflectivities (1.23 ± 0.68 vs. 0.52 ± 0.53, P = 0.02), thicker foveal subretinal space (r² = 0.32, P = 0.01), and CSF (r² = 0.39, P = 0.007); and for previously treated eyes (n = 16), a compact hyperreflective structure (1.60 ± 0.88 vs. 0.56 ± 0.64, P = 0.02) and ORA (1.34 ± 0.86 vs. 0.30 ± 0.44, P = 0.01). At final follow-up (n = 22), mean VA was 0.81 ± 0.83. Eyes with final VA <20/200 (n = 6, vs. >20/60, n = 11) more commonly had a compact hyperreflective structure and ORA at baseline and final visit (P < 0.05). Mean change in VA from baseline (n = 20) was −0.20 ± 0.59. Mean improvement in VA (range, −0.525 to −1.127) occurred in eyes with baseline SRF (P = 0.02) and bright hyperreflectivities (P = 0.03). Changes in thickness that correlated with change in VA included those for the foveal subretinal space (r² = 0.52, P < 0.001) and CSF (r² = 0.26, P = 0.045).

Conclusions

A compact hyperreflective structure (fibrosis) and ORA were associated with poor final VA while SRF, bright hyperreflectivities (exudation), and foveal subretinal thickness were associated with VA improvement post treatment.

Adult Coats Disease Presenting as Subfoveal Nodule

A 21-year-old female presented with decreased vision in the right eye. Best corrected visual acuity was 6/60 in the right eye and 6/6 in the left eye. Funduscopy of the right eye revealed a subfoveal nodule with surrounding exudates and temporal peripheral retinal vessel telangiectasia with exudation. The patient underwent retinal laser in the areas of telangiectatic vessels and capillary non-perfusion as seen on fundus fluorescein angiography. It was combined with an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab which was repeated twice at monthly intervals. The macular lesion and peripheral vessels along with subretinal exudates showed resolution during the course of treatment. However, the patient was lost to follow-up and returned 5 months later when examination revealed increased macular fibrosis. In the literature, the reported presentation of subfoveal nodule in Coats disease is during the first decade. It progresses to macular fibrosis within a few months. This case illustrates that subfoveal nodule before macular fibrosis in Coats disease may present later, even up to the third decade.

Cataract development in children with Coats disease: risk factors and outcome

PURPOSE

To describe the clinical features of cataract during the course of Coats disease and to determine its risk factors and effects on the long-term visual outcome.

METHODS

The medical records of consecutive patients with Coats disease followed for at least 2 years were analyzed retrospectively. Ophthalmological examination, ancillary tests, and treatment modalities were reviewed. The time of cataract diagnosis and its management were recorded. Parameters influencing cataract development and final visual outcome were investigated using uni- and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 57 patients (mean age, 5.0 ± 4.0 years; 51 males) were included; cataract formation was observed in 16 (28%) during a mean follow-up of 7.1 ± 3.7 years. The mean time from diagnosis of Coats disease to cataract detection was 25 ± 22 months. Total white cataract developed in 12 patients (75%); posterior subcapsular cataract, in 4 (25%). Cataracts were surgically removed in 10 patients to improve fundus visualization and clinical follow-up. Presence of exudative retinal detachment at diagnosis was an independent risk factor for cataract formation (P = 0.031). Cataract development was associated with more advanced disease stages (P < 0.001). History of cataract was a significant predictor for worse final visual outcome (P < 0.001), independent of disease stage (P = 0.003) and presence of macular complication, such as atrophy, fibrosis, or tractional retinal detachment (P < 0.001, adjusted R² = 0.83).

CONCLUSIONS

Cataract development is frequent in children with Coats disease and aggravates the visual prognosis. Exudative retinal detachment at diagnosis, present in more advanced disease stages, is an independent risk factor for cataract formation.

Refining Coats' disease by ultra-widefield imaging and optical coherence tomography angiography

PURPOSE

The purpose of our study was to describe ultra-widefield (UWF) imaging and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) findings in affected and fellow eyes of patients with Coats' disease.

METHODS

Consecutive patients affected by Coats' disease were prospectively recruited at the Department of Ophthalmology, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy in this cross-sectional, observational study. Patients underwent UWF color fundus photographs, UWF green autofluorescence, UWF fluorescein angiography (FA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), with 3 × 3 mm and 6 × 6 mm OCT-A scans of the macula. Images were qualitatively evaluated by two independent operators for the presence of pathology.

RESULTS

Eleven patients affected by Coats' disease (eight males, mean age 17.1 ± 6.7 years). Nine and two patients had a clinical diagnosis of unilateral and bilateral disease, respectively. Five eyes had macular fibrosis. All clinically affected eyes exhibited retinal pathology at UWF imaging with the temporal sector most involved followed by the inferior, nasal, superior and macula. In all eyes with macular fibrosis, OCT-A revealed replacement of the foveal avascular zone with coarse vessels suggestive of vascularized fibrosis and flow void area in the choriocapillaris due to a masking effect; type 3 neovascularization was seen in 75% of cases. Seven out of nine clinically unaffected fellow eyes showed retinal pathology at UWF FA with the temporal quadrant most involved.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that Coats' disease is a highly asymmetric bilateral disease and that UWF imaging is able to identify more retinal pathology than standard fundus imaging, thus guiding proper retinal photocoagulation. OCT-A allowed easy identification of type 3 neovascularization in a proportion of patients with macular fibrosis.