The deceptive coloboma

Scleral fistulas are known to develop following blunt trauma in patients with retinochoroidal coloboma. These cases can be managed by surgical options such as silicone buckles, or with glue and scleral patch graft. Some cases have been shown to close spontaneously. We report the first-ever case managed by vitrectomy, endophotocoagulation, and gas tamponade.

We present a rare and interesting case of an atypical choroidal coloboma with traumatic scleral fistula due to blunt trauma manifesting with hypotony-related disc edema, maculopathy, and chorioretinal folds, which was managed surgically with vitrectomy, endophotocoagulation, and gas tamponade with a good anatomical and visual outcome.

The video contains the case description and surgical management of a traumatic scleral fistula in a patient with atypical superotemporal choroidal coloboma. The patient developed hypotonic maculopathy and disc edema after 3 months following a blunt trauma sustained in a road traffic accident. A scleral fistula was suspected at the temporal edge of the coloboma but could not be accurately localized. In addition, due to the edge effect of the coloboma, the external repair was difficult. Hence, vitrectomy with internal tamponade was attempted.

The video highlights a different surgical approach to managing a traumatic scleral fistula at the edge of a retinochoroidal coloboma. There was a risk of leakage of intravitreal fluid into the orbit through the fistula; however, the gas bubble gave a better tamponade due to higher surface tension. It sealed the fistula presumably by creating a trap-door-like effect. The endophotocoagulation helped create adhesion between the tissues at the edge of the coloboma effectively sealing it. This was followed by a rapid recovery of the hypotony-related problems with good vision. Traumatic scleral fistula, at a difficult place such as the edge of a coloboma, can be successfully closed from an internal approach with vitrectomy, endolaser, and gas tamponade.

https://youtu.be/6rxgtFyy6cw.