Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 29, 2025
Novel Photoacoustic Microscopy and Optical Coherence Tomography Dual-modality Chorioretinal Imaging in Living Rabbit Eyes
Published on: February 8, 2018
MULTIMODAL IMAGING IN HELLP-RELATED CHORIORETINOPATHY
Camille Van Rysselberge1, Irina Balikova, Lia Judice
1Department of Ophthalmology, CHU Brugmann, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium .
Purpose:
To illustrate with multimodal imaging a case of HELLP syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelets) complicated by bilateral multifocal serous retinal detachments, subretinal exudation, and papilledema.
Methods:
Case report. Fundus photography, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography were performed at presentation and the day after. We also present the SD-OCT follow-up at 8 days, 1 year, and 4 years.
Results:
A 25-year-old 5-month-pregnant Guinean woman complained about decreased visual acuity in the right eye. Eye fundus and multimodal imaging were abnormal in both eyes. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography showed the presence of multifocal serous retinal detachments, subretinal deposits, and intraretinal cysts. Indocyanin green angiography revealed an irregular choroidal perfusion and localized choroidal ischemia. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography also provided assessment of retinal changes during the long-term follow-up, showing tissue damage in the outer retina.
Conclusion:
Serous retinal detachments during pregnancy can be the leading sign of HELLP syndrome-a potentially life-threatening condition. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography is a noninvasive and useful tool for its diagnosis and follow-up. ICG is important to confirm the choroidal ischemia and choroidal vascular abnormalities, underlying conditions leading to main sign of HELLP syndrome in the eye.
