A rare case of hyperpigmented torpedo maculopathy

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Diseases
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Torpedo maculopathy (TM) is a rare condition characterized by specific retinal lesions.
• Understanding rare presentations is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
• This case highlights an unusual manifestation of TM.

Observation:

• A 25-year-old male presented with a macular scar in his left eye.
• Clinical examination revealed a flat, diffusely hyperpigmented, fusiform lesion temporal to the fovea.
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed outer retinal layer damage and a subretinal cleft.

Findings:

• The lesion exhibited sharp margins with surrounding hypopigmentation and hypoautofluorescence.
• OCT confirmed significant damage to the outer retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).
• Differential diagnoses including congenital hypertrophy of the RPE, choroidal nevus, and trauma were excluded.

Implications:

• This case expands the known spectrum of torpedo maculopathy presentations.
• Accurate diagnosis relies on integrating clinical findings with advanced imaging techniques like OCT.
• Recognizing rare presentations aids in differentiating TM from other macular pathologies.