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.
2024
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Esperti anonimi
Settore MEDS-17/A - Malattie dell'apparato visivo
English
OCT
autoimmune diseases
dark without pressure
fluorescein angiography
indocyanine green angiography
optical coherence tomography
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].
Lombardo, M; Ricci, F; Cusumano, A; Falsini, B; Nucci, C; Cesareo, M
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/391968
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