OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY INTERFACE REFLECTION IMAGE ASSOCIATED WITH INTRAVITREAL GAS

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Intravitreal gas injections are used in treating various retinal conditions.
• Accurate interpretation of post-operative optical coherence tomography (OCT) is essential for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and characterize an optical coherence tomography (OCT) interface reflection (IR) artifact.
• To illustrate how this artifact can simulate a full-thickness macular hole in a post-operative eye with intravitreal gas.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case report analysis.
• Utilized spectral domain OCT (Cirrus HD-OCT 6000) imaging of a post-operative eye with intravitreal gas.
• Examined OCT images and slice navigator data.

Main Results:

• An OCT interface reflection (IR) image was observed anterior to the macula.
• This artifact mimicked a type 2 closure of a central full-thickness macular hole.
• Retrospective analysis confirmed the image was an artifact from a fluid-gas interface reflection, not the fovea.

Conclusions:

• OCT interface reflection (IR) artifacts can occur due to fluid-gas interfaces.
• These artifacts may be misinterpreted as macular pathology, potentially confusing clinical assessment.
• Clinicians must recognize these IR images to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure appropriate post-operative planning.