Updated Systematic Review and Clinical Spectrum of Peripheral Exudative Hemorrhagic Chorioretinopathy

The role of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection in peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy: A systematic review

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections have revolutionized the field of ophthalmology, and their use in a variety of retinal diseases is growing. One target disease is peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy, a disease that is uncommon and poorly understood. Despite this, there are numerous studies and case reports outlining the potential role of intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF medicines to treat it. As such, an evidence-based understanding of its risk-benefit profile is vital. We performed a comprehensive search in the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases for published studies and case reports relating to the use of anti-VEGF injections in peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy. Anti-VEGF was first used in 2010 to aid in the management of peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy. Since then, it has been increasingly used to manage this disease. Other potential management strategies, including laser photocoagulation, cryotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and vitrectomy are explored and compared with anti-VEGF where possible. Anti-VEGF appears to be an effective therapy in managing peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy, especially when there is an exudative threat to the macula.

Peripheral Hemorrhagic Chorioretinopathy: Differentiating Features from Choroidal Melanoma

Introduction

Peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy (PEHCR) is one of the leading mimickers of choroidal melanoma because of overlapping features with choroidal melanoma that make the distinction between these two entities difficult.

Methods

To identify nonoverlapping diagnostic features between PEHCR and choroidal melanoma, a retrospective study of 80 patients (80 eyes); 40 patients (40 eyes) with PEHCR; and 40 patients (40 eyes) with choroidal melanoma was conducted. Ophthalmoscopic and imaging features of PEHCR and choroidal melanoma were compared. Sensitivity and specificity for identifying PEHCR and choroidal melanoma were calculated. Youden's J statistic was assessed for each diagnostic feature.

Results

The most frequent clinical features of PEHCR were presence of druse (100%), hemorrhagic PED (93%), dome-shaped mass (B-scan) (90%), and subretinal/intraretinal hemorrhage (78%). Statistical analysis confirmed high sensitivity of hemorrhagic PED (0.93; 95% CI 0.80-0.98) and high specificity of clot retraction cleft, presence of lipid exudation, and bilaterality (1.00; 95% CI 0.91-1.00) as diagnostic features of PEHCR. Statistical analysis revealed presence of subretinal fluid 0.80 (95% CI 0.54-0.91) was most sensitive and presence of orange pigment, mushroom shape on B-scan, ciliary body extension, and choroidal excavation were most specific (1.00; 95% CI 0.91-1.00) for choroidal melanoma. Nonoverlapping diagnostic features of PEHCR were hemorrhagic PED, clot retraction cleft, presence of lipid exudation, and bilaterality. All PEHCR patients (100%) had at least one of these nonoverlapping diagnostic features. Nonoverlapping diagnostic features of choroidal melanoma were the presence of orange pigment, choroidal excavation, mushroom-shaped mass, and ciliary body extension (the latter 3 detected on B-scan). Youden's J statistic was highest for hemorrhagic PED and lowest for dome-shape appearance on B-scan (0.075).

Conclusion

PEHCR and choroidal melanoma can be differentiated by identifying diagnostic features that are exclusive to each entity. The presence of hemorrhagic PED strongly supports a diagnosis of PEHCR. B-scan ultrasonography is required to detect a mushroom-shaped mass, choroidal excavation, or ciliary body extension to exclude underlying choroidal melanoma.

Uveitic Granulomas Masquerading as Ocular Tumors

Introduction

Solitary uveal lesions confer a diagnostic challenge to ophthalmologists. Uveitic lesions most abundantly appear amelanotic and commonly involve the choroid. Most amelanotic choroidal lesions are either neoplastic or inflammatory in origin. In our study, we aimed to describe six uveitic granuloma cases, which were referred to a tertiary ophthalmology center as intraocular tumors.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of 6 patients (7 eyes) who had uveitic granulomas and were referred to a tertiary ophthalmology center as having intraocular tumors.

Results

Mean age on presentation was 47 ± 12.5 years. One lesion was involving the ciliary body only, five lesions had pure choroidal involvement, and one had ciliochoroidal involvement. Mean visual acuity on presentation was 1.7 ± 0.75 (Snellen = 20/1,000) and ranged from 20/80 to light perception. Mean basal diameter of all lesions was 7.7 ± 1.8 mm. Three lesions had moderate echogenicity, two lesions were low to moderate echoic, and one lesion had moderate to high echogenicity on ultrasonography. Three lesions were associated with retinal detachments. Five eyes showed an early hypofluorescence with late hyperfluorescence. Leakage of fluorescein at borders was noticed in 3 lesions. Final diagnosis was presumed intraocular tuberculosis in 4 patients, probable ocular sarcoidosis in 1 patient, and idiopathic solitary uveitic granulomas in 1 patient. Upon treatment, the vision improved to 0.3 ± 0.27 (Snellen = 20/40) and ranged from 20/20 to 20/100 after 4.7 ± 2.9 years of follow-up.

Conclusions

Uveitic granulomas can demonstrate features of ocular tumors. Proper uveitis management leads to a favorable visual outcome and ocular preservation.

Clinical characteristics of peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy in a referral center in Spain

OBJECTIVE

To publish the clinical characteristics of peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy (PHEC) in the Spanish population.

METHODS

Retrospective study and analysis of results in patients diagnosed with PHEC. The clinical characteristics, by OCT, the treatment used and the evolution after treatment were collected.

RESULTS

39 eyes of 23 patients with PHEC were evaluated. The average age at diagnosis was 79 years (66-94 years). The main ocular symptom was low vision in 26 eyes (66.6%); only 11 eyes (28.2%) were asymptomatic. The most frequent referred diagnosis was bleeding/exudation in 24 eyes (61.5%), followed by choroidal melanoma in 9 (23.1%). Intra or subretinal hemorrhages were the type of peripheral lesion most frequently found, in 24 eyes (61.5%). Twenty-five eyes (58.9%) received some type of treatment: 15 eyes (60%) underwent intravitreal injection (IIV) of antiangiogenic agents (anti-VEGF); Laser photocoagulation was performed in 2 cases (8%), Photodynamic therapy in 2 cases (8%) and 6 cases (18.2%) required pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) due to vitreous hemorrhage. There were no changes in visual acuity (VA) in patients followed with observation between baseline 0.66±0.80 (0.04-2.82) and end of follow-up 0.75±0.96 (0.00-2.82) (P=.352), nor for those who received some type of treatment between the beginning 0.78±0.79 (0.04-2.30) and the end 1.22±1.01 (0.04-2.82) (P=.157), possibly due to the large component of atrophic or exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) presented in both groups. (29 eyes presented atrophic or exudative AMD) CONCLUSIONS: PHEC is a rare pathology, frequently associated with AMD, which typically presents as a peripheral mass that is frequently confused with choroidal melanoma and other intraocular tumors and hence the importance of learning to identify it, making the correct differential diagnosis and avoid unnecessary treatments. Antiangiogenic therapy is effective in most patients with an active phase (exudative/hemorrhagic) into leading to fibrosis of peripheral hemorrhagic areas.

Serpentine retinal pigment epithelial tear

We report a case of retinal pigment epithelial tear in a patient with peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy (PEHCR). A 60-year-old diabetic female presented with left eye metamorphopsia. Fundus examination showed bilateral peripheral retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) degeneration, and a large serpentine-shaped RPE degeneration tract extending from the superotemporal arcade to the inferior periphery with associated subretinal hemorrhages in her left eye. This tract curved around the fovea, just sparing it. Fundus fluorescein and indocyanine green angiographies showed bilateral polyps in the superotemporal periphery. Optical coherence tomography through the tract showed scrolled up RPE at its edges with bare underlying Bruch's membrane and choroid in the region of the rip. There was no sign of an underlying pigment epithelial detachment. The patients with PEHCR should be prognosticated about such a rare vision-threatening macular complication.