Pathological features of surgically excised polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy membranes

The histopathological features are reported of surgically excised specimens from five patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, which had been diagnosed by indocyanine green angiography. On stereomicroscopy, four of the five cases demonstrated large choroidal arterioles with an inner elastic layer. Disruption of the inner elastic layer and arteriosclerotic changes of the vessels were identified by light microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated increased deposition of basement membrane-like material, together with collagen fibres, in the arteriolar walls. This study indicates that large choroidal arterioles and venules can be found in excised specimens from patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and arteriosclerosis is an important pathological feature.