Serpiginous-like Choroiditis Research Articles

Longitudinal study of serpiginous choroiditis and serpiginous like choroiditis using wide field OCT angiography.

To assess the ability of wide field Swept Source OCTA (SS-OCTA) imaging to detect morphological variations in Serpiginous Choroiditis (SC) and Serpiginous Like Choroiditis (SLC) in response to treatment and also analyze these findings quantitatively using Image J software. Retrospective observational case series of nine eyes with clinical diagnosis of active SC and SLC, who underwent SS-OCTA and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging at baseline and each follow up visit till 6 months. Morphological analysis was done by two independent graders and quantitative analysis to measure the size and intensity of lesion was done using publicly available Image J software at baseline and each follow up visit. Retrospective observational case series. Using SS-OCTA, all the active lesions followed a characteristic healing pattern. Active lesions appear well defined hypo flow void patches and as healing progressed, lesion became more ill-defined and iso-hyper- intense. Significant increase in mean intensity of the lesion could be apparent after 1 and 6 month of treatment. There was reduction in the size of lesions during follow up however this difference was not statistically significant. SS-OCTA could be a useful noninvasive tool to study the treatment response in SC/SLC both morphologically as well as quantitatively. Quantitative parameters need to be designed in further research studies to aid in uniform management and follow up of uveitis cases.

Classification Criteria for Tubercular Uveitis

To determine classification criteria for tubercular uveitis. Machine learning of cases with tubercular uveitis and 14 other uveitides. Cases of noninfectious posterior uveitis or panuveitis, and of infectious posterior uveitis or panuveitis, were collected in an informatics-designed preliminary database, and a final database was constructed of cases achieving supermajority agreement on the diagnosis, using formal consensus techniques. Cases were analyzed by anatomic class, and each class was split into a training set and a validation set. Machine learning using multinomial logistic regression was used on the training set to determine a parsimonious set of criteria that minimized the misclassification rate among the intermediate uveitides. The resulting criteria were evaluated on the validation sets. Two hundred seventy-seven cases of tubercular uveitis were evaluated by machine learning against other uveitides. Key criteria for tubercular uveitis were a compatible uveitic syndrome, including (1) anterior uveitis with iris nodules, (2) serpiginous-like tubercular choroiditis, (3) choroidal nodule (tuberculoma), (4) occlusive retinal vasculitis, and (5) in hosts with evidence of active systemic tuberculosis, multifocal choroiditis; and evidence of tuberculosis, including histologically or microbiologically confirmed infection, positive interferon-γ release assay test, or positive tuberculin skin test. The overall accuracy of the diagnosis of tubercular uveitis vs other uveitides in the validation set was 98.2% (95% confidence interval 96.5, 99.1). The misclassification rates for tubercular uveitis were training set, 3.4%; and validation set, 3.6%. The criteria for tubercular uveitis had a low misclassification rate and seemed to perform sufficiently well for use in clinical and translational research.

Infection Control Impact on Patient with Tuberculosis Chroretinitis in KSA Hospital Based Analysis

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. WHO estimates that one third of the world’s population is currently infected, with 9 million new cases occurring annually, leading to 3 million deaths per year, the disease affects the ocular anterior segment, the posterior segment, and adnexa. , The intraocular manifestations of TB include “mutton fat” keratic precipitates, posterior synechiae, vitreous snowballs, snow banking, retinal vasculitis, choroiditis, serpiginous-like choroiditis, and panuveitis] A definitive diagnosis of intraocular TB requires culture data, and direct demonstration of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in smears and via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of intraocular fluid, The purpose of this study is to describe the ocular manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis and to emphasize the fact that ocular tuberculosis may occur in the absence of systemic clinical activity and may mimic several clinical entities The current study is an observational consecutive case series of patients diagnosed with intraocular tuberculosis managed at a hospital. Study the prevalence of ocular TB in cross section eye care center Magrabi hospital Jeddah, KSA, from June 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015. diagnosis of ocular TB is often presumed in the presence of suggestive ocular findings in combination with any of the following: Systemic findings consistent with TB infection, Positive interferon gamma release assay, Positive tuberculin skin test in asymptomatic individuals, Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) on direct smear or culture of MTB from ocular samples, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Fluorescein angiography (FA), RESULTS: 86 of 2542 patients for examination of retina in retina clinic were diagnosed as suspected tuberculosis chroretinitis, 20 percent of them had conformed diagnosed as TB. out Of 86, 24 (27.9%) had at least one episode of oculacomplaints, 7 patients were conformed with PCR. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of presumed ocular tuberculosis remains a clinical challenge, although interferon-γ release assays they currently lack the specificity to distinguish between latent tuberculosis infection and active tuberculosis. molecular diagnostic PCR may be valuable in our ability to establish an earlier etiologic diagnosis and institute appropriate antimycobacterial therapy and ensure from implementation of infection control measurements.

Unilateral macular serpiginous-like choroiditis as the initial manifestation of presumed ocular tuberculosis

BackgroundClassic serpiginous choroiditis (SC) usually begins in the peripapillary area and spreads centrifugally, however, in some patients, the lesion can arise in the macular region. An association between lesions resembling classic SC and tuberculosis was recognized as a possibly distinct clinical entity and named as tuberculous serpiginous–like choroiditis. The differentiation of this tuberculous entity from SC is critical because the treatment of the former with immunosuppressive drugs leads to several potential adverse effects, and such treatment can have devastating consequences because of the worsening of a concomitant tuberculous infection.Case presentantionA 31-year-old woman presented with unilateral decreased vision and a fundus examination consistent with macular serpiginous choroiditis. A non-reactor tuberculin skin test and normal thoracic CT scan ruled out tuberculosis. However, after 2 months of treatment with steroids and immunosuppressive drugs, the contralateral eye developed similar lesions, further raising the suspicions of ocular tuberculosis. We conducted QuantiFERON® TB Gold, which was positive; hence, antituberculous therapy was started on the patient. The lesions started healing within a few weeks. After 1 year of finishing the therapy, the lesions remained healed without any recurrence.ConclusionsMacular serpiginous-like choroiditis may be the initial presentation of presumed ocular tuberculosis. Nevertheless, the correct diagnosis of this entity can be challenging and delayed by the imprecise results from the currently available methods.

Fundus imaging features of purified protein derivative and T-spot positive tubercular serpiginous-like choroiditis

Objective: To summarize the clinical and fundus imaging features of purified protein derivative and T-spot positive tubercular serpiginous-like choroiditis (PTP-SLC) patients. Methods: This retrospective study consecutively enrolled 13 PTP-SLC patients (21 eyes) in Beijing Tongren Hospital from November 2015 to November 2017. There were 8 males and 5 females with an average age of (45.2±12.1) years. Medical history and results of systemic and ophthalmological examinations, such us fundus autofluorescence photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography, were evaluated. Results: Eight patients had binocular disease with an average interval time of (8.4±7.9) years. The average visual acuity of all patients was 0.3, and 4 patients had a clear history of exposure to tuberculosis. The active lesions in the PTP-SLC patients were homogeneous and creamish-yellow with unclear boundaries. Fundus autofluorescence showed an ill-defined, diffuse hyperautofluorescent zone. OCT showed punctate hyperreflexes between the choroidal stroma, destruction of the outer retinal structure with intraretinal edema and discrete vitreal hyper-reflective spots. FFA showed hypofluorescence in the active lesion at early stage and diffuse hyperfluorescence with leakage. Indocyanine green angiography showed persistent hypofluorescence. Conclusions: PTP-SLC fundus lesions are mainly manifested as homogeneous creamish-yellow lesions with unclear boundaries and high in autofluorescence. The involvement of the choroid and the outer layer of the retina can be observed on OCT. FFA can find more retinal vascular inflammatory changes. It is difficult to distinguish PTP-SLC from serpiginous choroiditis simply based on clinical and epidemiological characteristics. The pathogenic examination of tuberculosis is still the key to differential diagnosis (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56: 914-919).

Clinical and Imaging Factors Associated With the Outcomes of Tubercular Serpiginous-like Choroiditis

To analyze baseline clinical and imaging risk factors associated with poor outcome in patients with tubercular serpiginous-like choroiditis (TB SLC). Retrospective clinical study. Charts and fundus photographs of consecutive patients with active TB SLC seen at a single tertiary referral center with 6months follow-up after initiation of treatment were reviewed. Logistic mixed models were performed to determine the clinical and imaging factors associated with the response to therapy, including the opacity of choroiditis graded according to a 3-point scale. This study included 203 eyes of 183 patients with active TB SLC. Poor initial best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and foveal and optic disc involvement were associated with poor response to therapy at 6months (odds ratio [OR] 4.489, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.92-10.47; P = .001; OR 2.892, 95% CI: 1.23-6.81; P= .015; OR 11.633, 95% CI: 3.17-42.71; P < .001, respectively). The high opacity grades (2 and 3) were also associated with poor outcomes OR 9.541; 95% CI: 2.94-30.91; P= .001). Poor baseline BCVA and high grade of opacity of the lesions were the composite risk factors for paradoxical worsening of TB SLC (OR 7.555, 95% CI: 1.78-32.02; P= 0.006; OR 7.434, 95% CI: 1.34-41.18; P =0.021, respectively). TB SLC with higher grades of lesion opacity at baseline may be associated with greater risk of poor therapeutic response and paradoxical worsening. Grading of baseline lesion opacity may be used in future prospective studies to predict the biological behavior of the lesions and may serve as a guide to therapeutic interventions.

Multifocal serpiginous-like choroiditis revealing mediastinal lymph node tuberculosis

Serpiginous-like choroiditis is a rare manifestation of intraocular tuberculosis. It most often occurs in the context of suspected or latent tuberculosis. The diagnostic confirmation remains a real challenge. We report a case of a young patient presented with rapid bilateral visual acuity decrease. The diagnosis of tuberculous serpiginous-like choroiditis associated with mediastinal lymph node tuberculosis was established based on anamnestic, clinical, radiographic, and histological arguments. Anti-tuberculosis drugs have been recommended in combination with corticotherapy. The evolution was marked by significant stabilization of choroidal lesions with an improvement in visual acuity. Given its great clinical polymorphism, ocular tuberculosis should be suspected in any ocular inflammation, even atypical, in order to start early and appropriate treatment and improve the visual prognosis.

Collaborative Ocular Tuberculosis Study Consensus Guidelines on the Management of Tubercular Uveitis—Report 1: Guidelines for Initiating Antitubercular Therapy in Tubercular Choroiditis

An international, expert-led consensus initiative organized by the Collaborative Ocular Tuberculosis Study (COTS), along with the International Ocular Inflammation Society and the International Uveitis Study Group, systematically developed evidence- and experience-based recommendations for the treatment of tubercular choroiditis. The diagnosis and management of tubercular uveitis (TBU) pose a significant challenge. Current guidelines and literature are insufficient to guide physicians regarding the initiation of antitubercular therapy (ATT) in patients with TBU. An international expert steering subcommittee of the COTS group identified clinical questions and conducted a systematic review of the published literature on the use of ATT for tubercular choroiditis. Using an interactive online questionnaire, guided by background knowledge from published literature, 81 global experts (including ophthalmologists, pulmonologists, and infectious disease physicians) generated preliminary consensus statements for initiating ATT in tubercular choroiditis, using Oxford levels of medical evidence. In total, 162 statements were identified regarding when to initiate ATT in patients with tubercular serpiginous-like choroiditis, tuberculoma, and tubercular focal or multifocal choroiditis. The COTS group members met in November 2018 to refine these statements by a 2-step modified Delphi process. Seventy consensus statements addressed the initiation of ATT in the 3 subtypes of tubercular choroiditis, and in addition, 10 consensus statements were developed regarding the use of adjunctive therapy in tubercular choroiditis. Experts agreed on initiating ATT in tubercular choroiditis in the presence of positive results for any 1 of the positive immunologic tests along with radiologic features suggestive of tuberculosis. For tubercular serpiginous-like choroiditis and tuberculoma, positive results from even 1 positive immunologic test were considered sufficient to recommend ATT, even if there were no radiologic features suggestive of tuberculosis. Consensus guidelines were developed to guide the initiation of ATT in patients with tubercular choroiditis, based on the published literature, expert opinion, and practical experience, to bridge the gap between clinical need and available medical evidence.

Double-Layer Sign: A New OCT Finding in Active Tubercular Serpiginous-like Choroiditis to Monitor Activity

Purpose To describe a novel spectral-domain (SD) OCT finding of a double-layer sign at the site of activity in tubercular serpiginous-like choroiditis (SLC) and how this sign can be used to assess treatment response in these eyes. Design Retrospective, observational case series. Methods We retrospectively reviewed simultaneous fundus photographs and SD OCT and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) images of eyes affected with tubercular SLC from the acute stage until resolution of lesions using the Heidelberg Spectralis HRA and OCT system (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany). Main Outcome Measures Occurence of the double layer sign (DLS) during activity; reduction in the double layer sign (DLS) with resolution of choroidal and retinal inflammation; correlation of SD OCT and FAF findings. Results Five eyes of 5 patients were studied in detail. Spectral-domain OCT findings included choroidal elevation and a double-layer sign (separation of hyperreflective retinal pigment epithelium [RPE] from Bruch’s membrane, with the gap between them showing moderate reflectivity) at the site of activity. This correlated with hyperautofluorescence with indistinct borders on FAF imaging. Reduction in the double-layer sign became evident as the lesions began to resolve, and eventually this area was replaced by hyperreflective, irregular, knobbly elevations of the RPE. In eyes with severe inflammation and increased choroidal elevation on OCT, the double-layer sign was very prominent. As the choroidal elevation decreased on OCT, increased reflectance from the choroidal layers was evident. As the lesions resolved, the lesions became predominantly hypoautofluorescent on FAF and loss of RPE, ellipsoid zone, and external limiting membrane on SD OCT scan became evident. Good correlation was found between the resolution of the double-layer sign on SD OCT and FAF findings. Conclusions The double-layer sign on SD OCT may be a useful finding in monitoring the activity in tubercular SLC. The OCT changes can be correlated with FAF imaging in these eyes.

Serpiginous-Like Choroiditis (SLC) – Morphology and Treatment Outcomes

ABSTRACT Purpose: To study morphology and treatment outcomes in serpiginous-like choroiditis (SLC). Methods: A retrospective chart review of SLC cases with ≥1-year follow-up. SLC lesions with elongated borders, thin body named dendritic (D-SLC), large lesions still with elongated borders named advanced dendritic (AD-SLC), and lesions with rounded borders, thick body called placoid (P-SLC). History, investigations, treatment response, and relapses were studied. Results: Thirty-three eyes [D-SLC (n = 14), AD-SLC (n = 13), P-SLC (n = 6)] of 24 patients were studied. Resolution on Fundus autofluorescence achieved at 8.6 months (Range: 4–12 months). 0/16 eyes treated with anti-tubercular therapy (ATT) and 4/11 eyes treated without ATT had at least one recurrence in (D-SLC + AD-SLC) group (p = .019). Mean best corrected visual acuity at final follow-up was 20/20, 20/25, and 20/60 in D-SLC, AD-SLC, and in P-SLC, respectively. Conclusion: P-SLC has poor visual prognosis compared to AD-SLC and D-SLC. ATT may prevent recurrences in D-SLC and AD-SLC.

DETECTION OF TYPE 1 CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULAR MEMBRANES USING OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY IN TUBERCULAR POSTERIOR UVEITIS.

To study optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and multimodal imaging features of Type 1 inflammatory choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in tubercular serpiginous-like choroiditis and response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. In this study, multimodal imaging was performed using OCTA, enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography. Correlation of OCTA with other imaging modalities in the detection of CNV was performed. The changes in CNV configuration after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy were assessed. In this study, nine eyes (8 patients; 5 females; mean age: 32.5 ± 11.57 years) with diagnosis of tubercular serpiginous-like choroiditis were included. All the eyes had presence of low-lying pigment epithelial detachments on enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography. Using OCTA, it was possible to detect Type 1 CNV in all eyes. Type 1 CNV networks comprised fine anastomotic network of vessels, some of which had a hairpin loop configuration. After anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, there was a decrease in branching and anastomosis. The visual acuity significantly improved from 0.49 ± 0.26 (20/60 Snellen equivalent) at baseline to 0.26 ± 0.17 (20/36 Snellen equivalent) (P = 0.03) in all eyes. Type 1 CNV can occur among patients with tubercular serpiginous-like choroiditis, leading to significant visual loss even in the healed stages of the disease. Optical coherence tomography angiography can help in the detection of Type 1 CNV where conventional multimodal imaging, including fluorescein angiography and OCT, fails to make a definitive diagnosis and thereby guide the initiation of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy.

Serpiginous-like choroiditis as sign of intraocular tuberculosis

To determine whether a patient who is non-responder to latanoprost after one month of use should continue using latanoprost or switch to either bimatoprost or travoprost.Prospective randomized clinical trial. We recruited new patients who were felt to require intraocular pressure reduction. Patients who had ≤ 20% intraocular pressure reduction after one month of latanoprost treatment were randomly assigned to another month of treatment with latanoprost or a switch to bimatoprost or travoprost for an additional month.Overall, 83 non-responders to latanoprost after one month of treatment were included in the study. Before latanoprost treatment, the mean intraocular pressure was 23.7 ± 4.7 mmHg. At randomization on latanoprost, mean intraocular pressure was 21.5 ± 4.5 mmHg. One month after the switch of medication, the mean reduction in intraocular pressure was not significantly different between the groups (P = 0.148) and was −0.9 mmHg, −2.10 mmHg and −2.5 mmHg, for latanoprost, bimatoprost and travoprost respectively. One month after randomization, 32 (38.5%) of the patients had become responders, with IOP reduction > 20%. Of those patients, 9 (31%) were using latanoprost, 13 (41.9%) bimatoprost and 10 (43.5%) travoprost. The number of new responders was similar between the three groups (P = 0.584).There is no added benefit of switching latanoprost to another topical prostaglandin for patients who are initially non-responders. Regression towards the mean and the Hawthorne effect are probably important factors explaining the additional IOP reduction obtained after randomization and explain the result of most switch studies.Nous voulions vérifier si les patients qui ne répondent pas au latanoprost après un mois d’utilisation, devraient continuer le latanoprost ou changer pour le bimatoprost ou le travoprost.Étude randomisée et prospective. On a recruté des nouveaux patients qui nécessitaient une réduction de la pression intraoculaire. Ceux qui avaient une réduction de ≤ 20 % après un mois sur latanoprost ont été randomisés à continuer le latanoprost ou changer pour le bimatoprost ou le travoprost pour un autre mois.Nous avons recruté 83 patients qui ne répondaient pas au latanoprost. Sans traitement, la pression intraoculaire moyenne était de 23,7 ± 4,7 mmHg. Avec le latanoprost, elle était 21,5 ± 4,5 mmHg. Un mois après le changement de molécules, on notait une baisse additionnelle de 0,9 mmHg pour le latanoprost, 2,1 mmHg pour le bimatoprost et 2,5 mmHg pour le travoprost. Il n’y avait pas de différence entre les groupes (p = 0,148). Un mois après la randomisation, 32 (38,5 %) patients avaient une réponse > 20 % dont 9 (31 %) pour le latanoprost, 13 (41,9 %) pour le bimatoprost et 10 (43,5 %) pour le travoprost. Il n’y avait pas de différence entre les groupes (p = 0,584).Nous n’avons pas trouvé de bénéfice à changer de prostaglandine si la réponse initiale au latanoprost est insatisfaisante. La régression vers la moyenne et l’effet Hawthorne sont des facteurs importants pour expliquer la baisse additionnelle après la randomisation et expliquent en grande partie, les résultats des nombreuses études de changement de molécules.

Enigma of serpiginous choroiditis.

Serpiginous choroiditis (SC) is an asymmetrically bilateral inflammation of the choroid that leads to loss of choriocapillaris atrophy or loss of overlying retinal pigment epithelium. Over the last few decades, SC has passed through a long evolution of nomenclature, etiologies and morphological variations. Initially diagnosed in patients with tuberculosis and syphilis, SC was predominantly considered as autoimmune process. With the advancement of molecular diagnosis, a new aspect of infectious subtypes of SC has emerged out. The terminologies such as serpiginous-like choroiditis (SLC) and multifocal serpiginoid choroiditis are now used to denote the subtypes of SC which are associated with infectious etiologies especially tuberculosis. In a country endemic for tuberculosis such as India, it is very important to differentiate between classic SC and SLC before initiating aggressive immunomodulatory therapy. Also, management of paradoxical worsening of the clinical condition with antitubercular treatment is another challenge in SLC and ophthalmologists should be aware of such situations. With advent of newer imaging modalities, monitoring the patient with choroiditis and identification of complications such as choroidal neovascular membrane have become much easier. This article aims to review the existing literature on SC with a special emphasis on management of SC and SLC.

Infection Control Impact on Patient with Tuberculosis Chroretinitis in KSA Hospital Based Analysis

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. WHO estimates that one third of the world’s population is currently infected, with 9 million new cases occurring annually, leading to 3 million deaths per year, the disease affects the ocular anterior segment, the posterior segment, and adnexa. , The intraocular manifestations of TB include “mutton fat” keratic precipitates, posterior synechiae, vitreous snowballs, snow banking, retinal vasculitis, choroiditis, serpiginous-like choroiditis, and panuveitis] A definitive diagnosis of intraocular TB requires culture data, and direct demonstration of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in smears and via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of intraocular fluid, The purpose of this study is to describe the ocular manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis and to emphasize the fact that ocular tuberculosis may occur in the absence of systemic clinical activity and may mimic several clinical entities The current study is an observational consecutive case series of patients diagnosed with intraocular tuberculosis managed at a hospital. Study the prevalence of ocular TB in cross section eye care center Magrabi hospital Jeddah, KSA, from June 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015. diagnosis of ocular TB is often presumed in the presence of suggestive ocular findings in combination with any of the following: Systemic findings consistent with TB infection, Positive interferon gamma release assay, Positive tuberculin skin test in asymptomatic individuals, Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) on direct smear or culture of MTB from ocular samples, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Fluorescein angiography (FA), RESULTS: 86 of 2542 patients for examination of retina in retina clinic were diagnosed as suspected tuberculosis chroretinitis, 20 percent of them had conformed diagnosed as TB. out Of 86, 24 (27.9%) had at least one episode of oculacomplaints, 7 patients were conformed with PCR. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of presumed ocular tuberculosis remains a clinical challenge, although interferon-γ release assays they currently lack the specificity to distinguish between latent tuberculosis infection and active tuberculosis. molecular diagnostic PCR may be valuable in our ability to establish an earlier etiologic diagnosis and institute appropriate antimycobacterial therapy and ensure from implementation of infection control measurements.

Correlation of "Panoramic" Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography With Indocyanine Green Angiography Characteristics of Serpiginous-Like Choroiditis.

To analyze the panorama optical coherence tomography angiography (P-OCTA) characteristics of serpiginous-like choroiditis (SLC) and to correlate these findings with indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). Prospective, observational study of 32 eyes of 24 patients. Twenty-seven eyes of 16 patients who met inclusion criteria were included in the final study. Multimodal imaging was performed using P-OCTA, OCT, fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography, and ICGA. Morphologic features at the site of lesions were analyzed using P-OCTA and correlated with ICGA. P-OCTA in active phase revealed areas of large flow void, which correlated with hypofluorescent areas on ICGA. Healing phase revealed appearance of vascular network due unmasking of choriocapillaris that corresponded to reduced hypofluorescence on ICGA. P-OCTA as a noninvasive tool provides widefield and high-resolution images that can be used as an complementary tool to ICGA for diagnosis of SLC cases. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:859-869.].

The Collaborative Ocular Tuberculosis Study (COTS)-1: A Multinational Description of the Spectrum of Choroidal Involvement in 245 Patients with Tubercular Uveitis

ABSTRACT Purpose: To contribute a global description of the spectrum of choroidal involvement in tubercular uveitis (TBU). Methods: Retrospective cohort study of TBU patients with choroidal involvement from 25 centers between January 2004 and December 2014. Medical records of patients with a minimum follow-up of 1 year were reviewed. Results: 245 patients were included. The phenotypic variations included serpiginous-like choroiditis (SLC) (46%), tuberculoma (13.5%), multifocal choroiditis (MFC) (9.4%), ampiginous choroiditis (9%), among others. 219 patients were treated with anti-tubercular therapy (ATT) (n = 219/245, 89.38%), 229 patients with steroids (n = 229/245, 93.47%) and 28 patients with immunosuppressive agents (n = 28/245, 11.42%). Treatment failure was noted in 38 patients (n = 38/245, 15.5%). Patients with SLC and ampiginous choroiditis appeared to have superior outcomes on survival analysis (p = 0.06). Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive description of choroidal involvement in TBU. Patients with SLC and ampiginous choroiditis may have better clinical outcomes.

Multimodal Evaluation of Presumed Tuberculous Serpiginous-Like Choroiditis

ABSTRACTPurpose: To evaluate multimodal imaging findings in longitudinal follow-up of a patient with presumed tuberculous serpiginous-like choroiditis (TB-SLC).Method: We evaluated multimodal imaging in a 62-year-old male with TB-SLC. Correlation between optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), swept-source OCT (SS-OCT) and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) at defined disease stages and evolution of observed imaging descriptors during long-term follow-up has not been previously reported.Results: OCTA of the active lesion demonstrated defined areas of choriocapillaris hypoperfusion, suggesting inflammatory vascular occlusive pathology. Over 9-month follow-up, OCTA illustrated sequential improvement in choriocapillaris flow, suggesting vascular remodeling. This correlated with progressive change in FAF signal and transition to diffuse hypoautofluorescence. SS-OCT demonstrated focal choroidal thickening and retinal pigment epithelium elevation in acute phase and resolution in time.Conclusion: Multimodal imaging, particularly novel non-invasive technologies such as OCTA and SS-OCT, improves our understanding of the pathogenesis and evolution of disease in TB-SLC.

Optical Coherence Tomography Features of Tuberculous Serpiginous-like Choroiditis and Serpiginous Choroiditis

ObjectiveTo investigate optical coherence tomography (OCT) characteristics of tuberculous serpiginous-like choroiditis (Tb-SLC) and serpiginous choroiditis (SC) and to perform OCT to differentiate between these conditions. MethodsThis retrospective, case-control study examined consecutively enrolled patients with active Tb-SLC or SC. Patients underwent comprehensive ocular examinations and imaging (OCT, color fundus photography, autofluorescence imaging, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography). Findings were examined and compared between eyes with SC and Tb-SLC. ResultsNine patients with active Tb-SLC (14 eyes) and 8 with active SC (12 eyes) were included. The following OCT findings were observed significantly more often in the Tb-SLC group than in the SC group: vitreal hyper-reflective spots [5 Tb-SLC eyes (36%), no SC eyes; P = 0.02], intraretinal edema [11 Tb-SLC eyes (79%), 3 SC eyes (25%); P = 0.01], sub-retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) drusenoid deposits [11 Tb-SLC eyes (79%), 2 SC eyes (17%); P < 0.01], and choroidal granulomas [8 Tb-SLC eyes (57%), 2 SC eyes (17%); P = 0.03]. A hyporeflective, wedge-shaped band was observed more often in the SC group [5 Tb-SLC eyes (36%), 9 SC eyes (75%); P = 0.045] than in the Tb-SLC group. The incidence of other OCT signs did not differ between the groups and included outer nuclear layer hyper-reflection, outer retinal tabulation, and choriocapillaris point-like hyper-reflection. ConclusionVitreal hyper-reflective spots, intraretinal fluid, sub-RPE drusenoid deposits, and choroidal granulomas on OCT images may indicate Tb-SLC. Additionally, a hyporeflective, wedge-shaped band may indicate SC. Therefore, OCT is likely helpful in differentiating between Tb-SLC and SC.

NOVEL FINDINGS ON OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY IN PATIENTS WITH TUBERCULAR SERPIGINOUS-LIKE CHOROIDITIS.

To analyze and describe the imaging characteristics of tubercular serpiginous-like choroiditis using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and to compare these findings with multimodal imaging. In this prospective cross-sectional study, multimodal imaging was performed in subjects with tubercular serpiginous-like choroiditis using OCTA (Optovue RTVue XR Avanti), enhanced-depth imaging OCT (Heidelberg Spectralis), fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography. Distinct morphologic features of the retinochoroidal vasculature at the sites of choroiditis lesions were analyzed on OCTA imaging. Multimodal imaging analysis was performed to study the changes observed on OCTA. Eighteen eyes (18 subjects, 16 males) were included in the study. The en face OCTA images demonstrated discrete areas of flow void beneath the retinal pigment epithelium-Bruch membrane layer suggestive of choriocapillaris hypoperfusion that corresponded well with indocyanine green angiography, especially in the chronic phase. Additional information such as areas of preserved choriocapillaris, vascular tufts, and tangled vessels were observed using OCTA among lesions in advanced stages of healing. Compared with indocyanine green angiography, the areas of choriocapillaris atrophy appeared better defined on OCTA and correlated well with enhanced-depth imaging OCT. The OCTA images provide high-resolution structural information of the retinochoroidal vasculature in tubercular serpiginous-like choroiditis. Morphologic information obtained from OCTA images correlates well with and supplements other imaging techniques such as indocyanine green angiography and enhanced-depth imaging OCT.

Tuberculosis

SummaryThe diagnosis of intraocular tuberculosis (TB) is often presumptive, made on the basis of suggestive ocular features, evidence of latent or manifest TB, exclusion of other causes of uveitis, and positive response to antitubercular treatment (ATT). The most typical features include serpiginous‐like choroiditis and occlusive retinal vasculitis. When the posterior segment is involved, treatment relies on ATT, usually in association with systemic or periocular corticosteroids. Patients should be monitored for response of inflammation to treatment, recurrences, adherence to ATT and treatment side‐effects. Clinical assessment of ocular TB at presentation and during follow‐up includes grading of vitreous haze, characterization of choroidal involvement, retinal vascular involvement and optic disc changes, and evaluation of anterior chamber cells and flare. Laser flare photometry may be used to monitor anterior chamber inflammation. Ocular imaging tests including fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, SD and EDI optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCT angiography may be very useful in analyzing and quantifying specific TB retinal and choroidal changes.