MENISCUS MICROPYON: An Ophthalmoscopic Sign Possibly Associated With Epiretinal Proliferation After Retinal Surgery...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Surgery
• Vitreoretinal Diseases

Background:

• Retinal surgery often involves gas tamponade.
• Postoperative complications can include proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVP) and epiretinal membrane (ERM) formation.
• Identifying early indicators of these complications is crucial for patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel ophthalmoscopic sign, the meniscus micropyon.
• To investigate the association between meniscus micropyon and the development of PVP/ERM after retinal surgery with gas tamponade.

Main Methods:

• Postoperative examination of patients receiving intravitreal gas by vitreoretinal surgeons.
• Definition of micropyon as a white-yellow consolidation at the fluid-gas interface.
• Histopathological analysis of biopsied micropyons.

Main Results:

• A meniscus micropyon was observed in 49 patients (33% of those with gas).
• Eyes with micropyon had significantly lower single-operation anatomical success (51%) compared to controls (91%).
• Histopathology revealed micropyons consist predominantly of white blood cells.

Conclusions:

• The meniscus micropyon is a distinct ophthalmoscopic sign post-retinal surgery with gas.
• It can be differentiated from postvitrectomy fibrin/fibrinoid syndrome by specific clinical and histopathological features.
• Meniscus micropyon may serve as a biomarker for predicting PVP/ERM formation.