[Choroidal neovascularization with indocyanine green infrared fluorescence angiography and vascular cast preparation]

Indocyanine green infrared fluorescence angiography (ICG angiography) was compared with the fluorescein angiography (FAG) to evaluate its benefit. Experimentally induced choroidal neovascularization (ChNV), by laser photocoagulation of monkey eyes was studied by means of cast preparation correlating with findings of ICG angiography. FAG could detect ChNV more clearly than ICG angiography. However, some (2/35 sites) ChNVs with subretinal hemorrhage could be detected only with ICG angiography. In the early phase, the densely distributed part or thick vessels of ChNV could be detected with ICG angiography. On the other hand, the loose part could not be detected. Cast preparation did not show morphologic difference between leaky and non-leaky lesions with ICG angiography. These results showed that ICG angiography could not produce clearer results than FAG. However, ChNVs covered with subretinal hemorrhage could be detected only with ICG angiography. ICG angiography has complementary value in conjunction with FAG in order to detect ChNVs.