[Geographic and helicoid choroidopathies. Clinical and angiographic study; attempted classification]

Among the helicoid and geographic (or serpiginous) choroidopathies, several entities can be distinguished which differ in their clinical evolution, morphology, angiographic appearance and pathophysiology. The entity is a chorioretinal heredodystrophy characterized by tonguelike strips of choroidal atrophy radiating starlike, from the optic disc. The evolution lasts many years (up to 20 or more), with slow progression and no inflammatory stages. Other types originate from occlusion of one or several short ciliary vessels, or at least of the corresponding choriocapillary network. Inflammation is always present initially. In the acute stage, there are localized or lobular areas of exudation. After an evolution of variable duration, up to 4-5 years, exudation is followed by atrophy and formation of scars at times helicoidal in configuration but somewhat more irregular than the dystrophic entity. Similar scars around the optic disc or in the posterior pole sometimes arise from a generalized vasculopathy e.g. a giant cell arteritis. Several typical cases are presented to demonstrate the variety of manifestations that constitute tentative system of classification.