AUG 29, 2011
Retina/Vitreous
This retrospective study evaluated whether spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) findings might predict choroidal neovascularization (CNV) at fluorescein angiography (FA). They found that SD-OCT is highly sensitive but nonspecific in detecting leakage on FA.
They analyzed SD-OCT and FA images from 93 patients (93 eyes) treated with anti-VEGF agents for choroidal neovascularization secondary to AMD. FA images were analyzed to assess the presence of leakage. SD-OCT images were analyzed to identify the overall presence of fluid as well as specific patterns of fluid presentation, including intraretinal cystic spaces (ICS), retinal pigment epithelium detachment (PED), and neurosensory detachment (NSD).
There was a statistically significant association between SD-OCT findings and FA leakage for eyes that displayed fluid, NSD, intraretinal flecks, and low reflectivity or undefined boundaries from subretinal material, but not for PED or ICS. Sensitivity and specificity for SD-OCT findings were, respectively: 94 percent and 27 percent for fluid; 68 percent and 88 percent for NSD; 81 percent and 83 percent for intraretinal flecks; 63 percent and 92 percent for undefined boundaries of subretinal material; and 94 percent and 87 percent for low reflectivity from subretinal material.
The authors conclude that assessment of neurosensory detachment as well as other ultrastructural elements may increase the specificity of analysis.