objectives: the main objective of this study was to report and investigate the characteristics and longitudinal changes in dark-without-pressure (DWP) fundus lesions in patients with autoimmune diseases using multimodal imaging techniques. methods: In this retrospective observational case series, five patients affected by ocular and systemic autoimmune disorders and DWP were examined. DWP was assessed by multimodal imaging, including color fundus photography (CFP), near-infrared reflectance (NIR), blue reflectance (BR), blue autofluorescence (BAF), optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT-angiography (OCT-A), fluorescein angiography (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), and functional testing, including standard automated perimetry (SAP) and electroretinography (ERG). follow-up examinations were performed for four out of five patients (range: 6 months-7 years). results: DWP fundus lesions were found in the retinal mid-periphery and were characterized by the hypo-reflectivity of the ellipsoid zone on OCT. DWP appeared hypo-reflective in NIR, BR and BAF, and exhibited hypo-fluorescence in FA in two patients while showing no signs in one patient. ICGA showed hypo-fluorescent margins in one patient. SAP and ERG testing did not show alterations attributable to the DWP lesion. follow-up examinations documented rapid dimensional changes in DWP even in the short term (1 month). conclusions: this study suggests a possible association between autoimmune diseases and DWP. new FA and ICGA features were described. the proposed pathogenesis hypotheses may operate as a basis for further investigation of a lesion that is still largely unknown. large population studies would be necessary to confirm whether there is a higher incidence of DWP in this patient category.
Lombardo, M., Ricci, F., Cusumano, A., Falsini, B., Nucci, C., Cesareo, M. (2024). Longitudinal Structural and Functional Evaluation of Dark-without-Pressure Fundus Lesions in Patients with Autoimmune Diseases. DIAGNOSTICS, 14(20) [10.3390/diagnostics14202289].
Longitudinal Structural and Functional Evaluation of Dark-without-Pressure Fundus Lesions in Patients with Autoimmune Diseases
Marco Lombardo;Federico Ricci;Andrea Cusumano;Carlo Nucci;Massimo Cesareo
2024-01-01
Abstract
objectives: the main objective of this study was to report and investigate the characteristics and longitudinal changes in dark-without-pressure (DWP) fundus lesions in patients with autoimmune diseases using multimodal imaging techniques. methods: In this retrospective observational case series, five patients affected by ocular and systemic autoimmune disorders and DWP were examined. DWP was assessed by multimodal imaging, including color fundus photography (CFP), near-infrared reflectance (NIR), blue reflectance (BR), blue autofluorescence (BAF), optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT-angiography (OCT-A), fluorescein angiography (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), and functional testing, including standard automated perimetry (SAP) and electroretinography (ERG). follow-up examinations were performed for four out of five patients (range: 6 months-7 years). results: DWP fundus lesions were found in the retinal mid-periphery and were characterized by the hypo-reflectivity of the ellipsoid zone on OCT. DWP appeared hypo-reflective in NIR, BR and BAF, and exhibited hypo-fluorescence in FA in two patients while showing no signs in one patient. ICGA showed hypo-fluorescent margins in one patient. SAP and ERG testing did not show alterations attributable to the DWP lesion. follow-up examinations documented rapid dimensional changes in DWP even in the short term (1 month). conclusions: this study suggests a possible association between autoimmune diseases and DWP. new FA and ICGA features were described. the proposed pathogenesis hypotheses may operate as a basis for further investigation of a lesion that is still largely unknown. large population studies would be necessary to confirm whether there is a higher incidence of DWP in this patient category.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.