"En face" OCT in Small Pigmented Choroidal Tumors

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Oncology

Background:

• En face optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides cross-sectional views parallel to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).
• Evaluating small pigmented choroidal tumors requires precise imaging techniques.
• Spectral domain OCT is utilized for detailed analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define the utility of en face OCT in assessing small pigmented choroidal tumors.
• To analyze the morphological characteristics of these tumors using en face OCT.

Main Methods:

• Investigated 27 small pigmented choroidal tumors using en face OCT.
• Performed manual segmentation and selected spectral domain OCT sections at 30, 80, and 130 µm beneath the RPE.
• Conducted morphological and statistical analysis of the selected images.

Main Results:

• Tumor internal reflectance varied (hyper-, iso-, or hypo-reflective) with uniform or bull's eye patterns.
• Reflectance decreased towards the tumor center.
• Tumor margins appeared similar to or less extensive than ophthalmoscopic findings.
• Peritumoral vascularization became distinct from the 80 µm section downwards.

Conclusions:

• En face OCT demonstrates uniform or bull's eye internal reflectance in small pigmented choroidal tumors.
• Tumor intensity is variable relative to the surrounding choroid.
• Tumor margins may appear more confined on en face OCT compared to color fundus photography.