Pachychoroid disease spectrum: review article
Thiago José Muniz Machado Mazzeo1, Henrique Monteiro Leber2, Allan Gomes da Silva2
1Retina and Vitreous Department, Suel Abujamra Institute, São Paulo, Brazil. mazzeothiago@yahoo.com.
Summary
This review details the pachychoroid disease spectrum, encompassing conditions like central serous chorioretinopathy and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. Advances in imaging enhance understanding, but the progression variability in pachychoroid diseases remains an area for further research.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Diseases
- Choroidal Disorders
Background:
- Pachychoroid disease spectrum encompasses various related retinal conditions.
- These conditions share characteristic choroidal and retinal pigment epithelium changes.
- Understanding these entities is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive literature review on the pachychoroid disease spectrum.
- To describe multimodal imaging findings, pathophysiology, and differential diagnoses.
- To discuss current management strategies for these conditions.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature review was conducted.
- Searches were performed on the PubMed database for relevant published papers.
- The review focuses on current knowledge regarding pachychoroid diseases.
Main Results:
- The pachychoroid spectrum includes pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy (PPE), central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV), polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV)/aneurysmal type 1 neovascularization (AT1), focal choroidal excavation (FCE), and peripapillary pachychoroid syndrome (PPS).
- Multimodal imaging has significantly improved the understanding of choroidal changes in these diseases.
- Clinical knowledge and management options have advanced considerably.
Conclusions:
- The pachychoroid disease spectrum is a group of related conditions with distinct clinical and imaging features.
- While imaging has advanced understanding, the reasons for varying disease progression (e.g., uncomplicated vs. progressive damage) are still unclear.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind disease progression and refine management strategies.
