Pigmented paravenous chorioretinal atrophy: Updated scenario

Pigmented paravenous chorioretinal atrophy (PPCRA) is an uncommon form of chorioretinal atrophy characterized by perivenous aggregations of pigment clumps associated with peripapillary and radial zones of retinal pigment epithelial atrophy that are distributed along the retinal veins. Most patients are asymptomatic, and evidence suggest that PPCRA is slowly progressing. Unless macular involvement is present, the majority of patients usually retain a normal visual function. Our ability to diagnose PPCRA has recently improved thanks to multimodal imaging, especially with the advent of ultra-widefield (UWF) imaging. Blood tests and functional and genetic testing can help with the correct differential diagnosis of pseudo-PPCRA or other disorders with similar characteristics. Although the cause of PPCRA is unknown, it is possible that it has a genetic basis. In this review we provide a summary of the multimodal imaging characteristics of PPCRA, and discuss its possible pathogenesis, based on the genes that have been associated with this disease.

Posterior vitreous cortex hyalocytes visualization in asymmetric pigmented paravenous chorioretinal atrophy (PPCRA) using en face OCT

Purpose

Pigmented paravenous chorioretinal atrophy (PPCRA) is a rare retinal disease with inflammatory or infectious associations affecting the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choriocapillaris. While the clinical manifestations and imaging findings are well-documented in the literature, no reports exist describing potential biomarkers of intraocular inflammation or ischemia in this condition, such as the presence of posterior vitreous cortex hyalocytes.

Observations

We report a case of a 26-year-old female who presented with progressive peripheral vision loss in both eyes over one year. Dilated fundus examination revealed bilateral, asymmetric bone-spicule pigmentary changes along the retinal veins, which appeared more advanced in the left eye. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed the presence of numerous hyalocytes in both eyes 3 μm anterior to the inner limiting membrane (ILM). The morphology of the hyalocytes differed between the two eyes, suggesting different levels of activation related to the stage of the disease. Specifically, the left eye, with more advanced disease, exhibited hyalocytes with multiple elongated processes consistent with a quiescent state, whereas the right eye, with the less advanced disease state, exhibited amoeboid-appearing hyalocytes suggestive of more active inflammation.

Conclusions

This case illustrates how hyalocyte morphology may reflect the underlying activity of an indolent retinal degeneration and provide a useful biomarker of disease progression.

OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY FINDINGS IN PIGMENTED PARAVENOUS CHORIORETINAL ATROPHY

PURPOSE

To analyze the retino-choroidal vascular characteristics of patients affected by pigmented paravenous chorio-retinal atrophy by means of optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography.

METHODS

This study was designed as an observational, cross-sectional case series. Multimodal imaging included fundus autofluorescence, structural OCT, and OCT angiography. The quantitative OCT angiography analyses included the calculation of the vessel density and choriocapillaris porosity.

RESULTS

Overall, 12 patients (24 eyes) affected by pigmented paravenous chorio-retinal atrophy were recruited. Structural OCT of the areas involved by pigmented paravenous chorio-retinal atrophy as visualized on the fundus autofluorescence showed a complete ellipsoid zone and external limiting membrane absence, with thinning of ganglion cell complex, outer nuclear layer, and outer plexiform layer, but associated with the optical partial preservation of the retinal pigment epithelium. Optical coherence tomography angiography quantitative assessment of the retinal regions affected by PPRCA, as visualized by fundus autofluorescence, was characterized by normal vessel density at the level of superficial capillary plexus but significantly altered vessel density of deep capillary plexus and choriocapillaris, with higher choriocapillaris porosity. The presence of macular atrophy was significantly correlated with worse deep capillary plexus and choriocapillaris vessel density values. Furthermore, a statistically significant correlation between the fundus autofluorescence patterns and the retinal vascular status was found.

CONCLUSION

Optical coherence tomography angiography quantitative analyses in pigmented paravenous chorio-retinal atrophy demonstrate a specific impairment at the level of the deep capillary plexus, which could in turn bring about a thinning of ganglion cell complex and outer nuclear layer. The alterations at the level of the choriocapillaris and the choroid, in general, could then represent a secondary effect.

Pigmented Paravenous Retinochoroidal Atrophy: A Case Report Supported by Multimodal Imaging Studies

Background and Objectives: Pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy (PPRCA) is a rare disease with bilateral retinal pigment epithelium and choroidal atrophy. We present a case of PPRCA using multimodal imaging studies. Case summary: A 61-year-old female was referred to our department for floaters. Funduscopic examination revealed pigment clumps and grayish lesions along the retinal vein and the peripheral area, bilaterally. She did not have nyctalopia or any other visual symptoms including visual loss. She was diagnosed with pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy based on the typical findings of fundus. The findings of wide fluorescein angiography (FA), wide indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), fundus autofluorescence (FAF), spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), the visual field (VF) and an electroretinogram (ERG) could help us to confirm the diagnosis. The patient did not have any specific treatment for PPRCA in our study and there was no change in visual acuity and multimodal imaging of both eyes over one year. Conclusions: We report a case of PPRCA and the multimodal imaging of this patient. PPRCA is very rare disease and sometimes it is easy to get confused with other diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and vasculitis when it comes to diagnosis. Multimodal imaging features of PPRCA will improve our understanding, diagnosis and prediction of the prognosis of this disease.

Pigmented Paravenous Chorioretinal Atrophy: Clinical Spectrum and Multimodal Imaging Characteristics

PURPOSE

To investigate the clinical findings and natural course of patients with pigmented paravenous chorioretinal atrophy (PPCRA) using multimodal imaging.

DESIGN

Retrospective, observational case series.

METHODS

We reviewed the records of consecutive patients diagnosed with PPCRA at a single center and assessed serial fundus photographs, fundus autofluorescence (FAF), and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography images. Electrophysiological findings and visual field analysis were also reviewed.

RESULTS

The study included 50 eyes in 25 patients. The mean age of the population was 51.6 ± 14.6 years. Nine patients (36.0%) were asymptomatic and 9 (36.0%) complained of nyctalopia. We divided fundus appearance into one of 3 groups: paravenous (58.0%), focal (16.0%), and confluent (26.0%). Of the 50 eyes, macular involvement was present in 13 eyes (26.0%). Fifteen patients (60.0%) demonstrated a symmetric fundus appearance, whereas 10 (40.0%) had marked asymmetry. Eight eyes (16.0%) exhibited apparent changes in fundus findings, over a mean follow-up period of 8.8 years. FAF imaging was most sensitive to evaluate the extent of lesions. Sixteen eyes (44.4%) showed progressive visual field loss during the follow-up period. Most patients maintained stable vision, and 36 eyes (72.0%) had a final visual acuity of 20/50 or better. Nevertheless, some eyes with macular involvement experienced severe deterioration in vision. Electrophysiological data were variable, and interocular asymmetry was common (45.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

PPCRA can present with a more variable expressivity than previously described. Multimodal imaging can provide insights into its clinical characteristics to facilitate the diagnosis, classification, and follow-up of these patients.

Multimodal imaging of pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy

AIM

To describe the multimodal imaging findings of pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy.

METHODS

A 23-year-old female presented to us for a routine ocular examination. She had a best-corrected visual acuity of 6/6 in both eyes. Anterior segment examination was unremarkable. Fundus examination showed pigmentary changes along the retinal vasculature extending from mid periphery to post-equatorial retina suggesting a diagnosis of pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy. Swept-source optical coherence tomography of the macula showed choriocapillaris thinning at the mid periphery whereas coherence tomography angiography at the mid periphery showed a relatively normal choriocapillaris vasculature in the early stage of the disease.

CONCLUSION

A relatively normal choriocapillaris structure was seen on ocular coherence tomography angiography which could have been due to a milder form of the disease in a young patient.

Reviewing the Role of Ultra-Widefield Imaging in Inherited Retinal Dystrophies

Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRD) are a heterogeneous group of rare chronic disorders caused by genetically determined degeneration of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium cells. Ultra-widefield (UWF) imaging is a useful diagnostic tool for evaluating retinal integrity in IRD, including Stargardt disease, retinitis pigmentosa, cone dystrophies, and Best vitelliform dystrophy. Color or pseudocolor and fundus autofluorescence images obtained with UWF provide previously unavailable information on the retinal periphery, which correlates well with visual field measurement or electroretinogram. Despite unavoidable artifacts of the UWF device, the feasibility of investigations in infants and in patients with poor fixation makes UWF imaging a precious resource in the diagnostic armamentarium for IRD.