Multimodal Imaging of an Idiopathic Vascularized Epiretinal Membrane: A Case Report

BACKGROUND Idiopathic epiretinal membranes (ERMs) are commonly associated with fibrovascular tissue, primarily observed in ischemic retinopathies. However, idiopathic vascularized ERMs (IVEM) are exceedingly rare, and their pathogenesis and clinical course remain poorly understood. This report aims to contribute to the limited literature on IVEM, shedding light on its characteristics and potential implications for patient management. CASE REPORT We present the case of a 70-year-old man diagnosed with idiopathic ERM in the left eye, revealing a neovascular complex within the membrane. Despite the absence of ocular symptoms and medical history, multimodal imaging using the Nidek Mirante, including spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A), revealed a thick pre-retinal hyper-reflective line with a partial posterior vitreous detachment and an abnormal vascular complex resembling a pruned-vascular-tree pattern. Notably, fluorescein angiography confirmed hyperfluorescence and leakage corresponding to the observed vessels. Despite the rarity of IVEM, the patient remained asymptomatic, and observation was deemed appropriate. CONCLUSIONS IVEM poses a rare challenge in clinical practice, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of its features and potential complications. While the etiopathogenesis remains unclear, hypertension has been proposed as a contributing factor. This case adds valuable insights to the growing literature on IVEM, emphasizing the importance of multimodal imaging in diagnosis and decision-making. Given the limited reports and varied treatment outcomes, managing IVEM requires careful consideration of observation and various therapeutic approaches, highlighting the need for further research to optimize patient care.