English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Serpiginous choroiditis (SC) is an intraocular inflammatory disorder displaying a geographic pattern of choroiditis, extending from the juxtapapillary choroid and intermittently spreading centrifugally. It involves the overlying retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), the outer retina including the choriocapillaries and the choroid.1,2,3 Infectious diseases like tuberculous (TB) uveitis, herpes simplex virus (HSV) uveitis whose fundus changes mimic SC are termed as serpiginous-like choroidopathy (SLC). On slit lamp examination, anterior segment usually appears quiet, non-granulomatous anterior uveitis with mild vitritis and / or fine pigmented cells within the vitreous can be seen. The pattern of fundus involvement varies between the two groups. Fundus fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography (FFA and ICG) are important modalities of investigation that help in differentiating the pattern of involvement and confirming clinical findings. The duration of follow up, reactivation of lesions and complications vary. Hence, it is important to differentiate between SC and SLC for proper diagnosis and appropriate management. The aim of this study is to highlight important features of serpiginous choroiditis and serpiginous like choroidopathy that will aid in the correct diagnosis of these two entities. METHODS This is a retrospective study of 40 patients. Following variables were analysed - age, gender, laterality, visual acuity, and intraocular inflammation through slit lamp examination, pattern of involvement, choroidal-neovascularization, reactivation, clinical investigations and diagnosis. RESULTS 32 patients had serpiginous choroiditis (SC) and eight patients had serpiginous like choroiditis (SLC). Mean age was 50 and 51 years (SC and SLC respectively). Males were predominantly affected (65.5 % in serpiginous choroiditis and 62.5 % in serpiginous like choroiditis). Bilaterality was 80 % in SC-group and 46 % in the SLC-group. Vitreous haze was lesser than or equal to 1 + in SC group. The juxtapapillary-area was involved in 90 % in SC eyes and 0 % in SLC-group. Midperiphery of fundus was involved in 54 % of SLC-group. Reactivation is more common in SLC group than in SC group in a follow up period of one year. Choroidal-neovascularisation was found in two patients only in SLC-group. CONCLUSIONS In cases where vitreous haze is greater than 1 + with unilateral involvement and disease free peripapillary area is present, an infectious aetiology has to be strongly suspected, as an immunomodulatory therapy could have severe consequences. KEYWORDS Serpiginous Choroiditis, Serpiginous like Choroiditis, Autoimmune