Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Features of Inactive Multifocal Choroiditis With Panuveitis and Punctate Inner...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Imaging
• Choroidopathy

Background:

• Inactive multifocal choroiditis with panuveitis and punctate inner choroidopathy (MFCPU/PIC) can present with atrophic chorioretinal scars.
• Differentiating these scars from those caused by other inflammatory or infectious conditions is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify specific optical coherence tomography (OCT) biomarkers for inactive MFCPU/PIC.
• To compare these OCT biomarkers with those found in atrophic scars from other causes.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional observational study involving 59 patients with inactive chorioretinal atrophic lesions.
• Multimodal imaging, including spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) and high-resolution OCT (HR-OCT), was performed.
• Quantitative OCT measurements (RPE atrophy size, Bruch's membrane defect size, choroidal thickness coefficient) and structural alterations were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Bruch's membrane disruption was significantly more frequent in MFCPU/PIC lesions (94.7%) compared to controls (6.1%).
• Inner nuclear layer herniation was also more common in MFCPU/PIC (57.9% vs 4.3%).
• Bruch's membrane defects were smaller and within RPE atrophy areas, positively correlated with RPE atrophy size.

Conclusions:

• Bruch's membrane disruption and inner retinal layer herniation are characteristic OCT features of inactive MFCPU/PIC.
• These OCT findings aid in diagnosing inactive MFCPU/PIC, even without active inflammation.
• The results suggest a unique inflammatory mechanism affecting the outer retina, Bruch's membrane, and choroid in MFCPU/PIC.