Impact of OCT scan-patterns in identifying morphological features of lamellar macular holes and macular pseudoholes

To evaluate the impact of the optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan patterns on the detection of the features associated with lamellar macular hole (LMH) and macular pseudohole (MPH).

This is a retrospective analysis of 100 consecutive eyes with LMH (n=41) and MPH (n=59) having at least three of the following OCT features, which include mandatory criteria for the diagnosis of LMH and MPH: Epiretinal membrane, epiretinal proliferation, verticalization, intraretinal cystoid spaces, foveoschisis, irregular foveal contour, foveal cavity with undermined edges, and ellipsoid line disruption. Primary outcome measurement was the detection frequency of the features in three different OCT scan patterns: 1) volume scan; 2) six radial scans (R6); and 3) vertical and horizontal radial scans (R2).

Of the total eight features, the maximal detection frequency was found as 4.45±1.45, 4.35±1.47, and 3.70±1.59, by the volume, R6 and R2, respectively. R2 was inferior to the other patterns in detection of the total features (P<0.001), whereas R6 and volume patterns were found comparable (P=0.312).

The physician should be aware that the selection of the OCT-scan pattern may influence the detection of mandatory morphological criteria for the diagnosis of LMH and MPH.