[Acute vitreous hemorrhage--possibilities for differential diagnostic, echographic assessment]

In acute vitreal hemorrhage, echography is the method of choice for evaluation of the vitreous body. Echography ist capable of providing information on the localization, the density, and the mobility, and in certain diseases, also on the cause of the hemorrhage. The echographic findings (standardized echography) recorded in 216 patients with acute vitreal hemorrhage examined within 14 months (Jan. 1988 to Feb. 1989) were evaluated. In 91 patients (42%) diabetic retinopathy was known: in such cases echography can disclose proliferative changes and traction-detachment of the retina. In 58 patients (27%) echography revealed a posterior vitreous detachment, while in 17 patients (8%) an additional retinal detachment was found. In 39 patients (18%) a degenerative, disciform lesion of the macula was revealed as the cause of the hemorrhage, in 5 patients (2%) a malignant melanoma of the choroid, and in 2 patients a (large) retinal tear. In 5 patients, apart from the vitreous opacities no changes in the posterior segment could be found.