Faculty Collaboration Database

Infrared imaging and optical coherence tomography reveal early-stage astrocytic hamartomas not detectable by fundoscopy. Am J Ophthalmol 2012 May;153(5):883-889.e2

Date

02/09/2012

Pubmed ID

22310082

Pubmed Central ID

PMC3331884

DOI

10.1016/j.ajo.2011.10.033

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84862798561 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   37 Citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: To describe and correlate the features of astrocytic hamartomas using multimodal imaging.

DESIGN: Prospective, noncomparative, observational case series.

METHODS: This was a single-center study of 4 patients (8 eyes) with tuberous sclerosis complex. A complete ophthalmologic examination, fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence (FAF), infrared imaging, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) were performed for each patient. Images from each modality were analyzed and compared.

RESULTS: In 2 patients, infrared imaging and SD-OCT detected occult retinal astrocytic hamartomas that were not observed on clinical examination or color fundus photography. FAF demonstrated the greatest contrast between lesions and surrounding retina but failed to identify 1 occult lesion that was detected with infrared imaging and SD-OCT. SD-OCT revealed lesions arising from the retinal nerve fiber layer with overlying vitreous adhesions, hyperreflective dots, and optically empty spaces at all depths of the tumor. Hamartomas were hyporeflective on infrared imaging and hypoautofluorescent on FAF. FAF of some lesions demonstrated hyperautofluorescent spots.

CONCLUSIONS: Infrared imaging and SD-OCT aid in the detection of astrocytic hamartomas that are not visible on clinical examination or color fundus photography. SD-OCT enhances visualization of structural details. FAF is a useful adjunctive test to obtain greater contrast between lesions and surrounding retina. The ability to monitor structural changes over time in astrocytic hamartomas using SD-OCT may be beneficial for monitoring the success of systemic chemotherapy in the treatment of various tuberous sclerosis tumors.

Author List

Xu L, Burke TR, Greenberg JP, Mahajan VB, Tsang SH

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Astrocytes
Child
Diagnostic Imaging
Female
Fluorescein Angiography
Humans
Infrared Rays
Male
Ophthalmoscopes
Prospective Studies
Retinal Neoplasms
Tomography, Optical Coherence
Tuberous Sclerosis