MACULAR TELANGIECTASIA TYPE 2: Quantitative Analysis of a Novel Phenotype and Implications for the Pathobiology of the Disease.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To investigate retinal microcystoid spaces in macular telangiectasia type 2 with spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

METHODS:

Retrospective review of 135 patients enrolled in the MacTel Natural History Observation and Registry Study at Moorfields Eye Hospital, United Kingdom. One hundred seventy-two eyes from 86 patients who had a comparable scan protocol of at least 30 μm interval were included for analysis. Retinal microcystoid spaces were identified and segmented and metrics analyzed.

RESULTS:

From 172 eyes of 86 patients, microcystoid spaces were found in 11 eyes (6.4%) from 8 patients (9.3%). The mean number of microcystoid spaces per eye was 12.9 ± 18.2. Most were located in the inner nuclear layer. The inferonasal quadrant of the macula was the least commonly affected region. Microcystoid spaces were distributed entirely within the assumed macular telangiectasia area on blue light reflectance in all but 2 eyes (4 of 142 microcysts). The median diameter of the microcystoid spaces was 31 μm (range 15 μm-80 μm).

CONCLUSION:

Microcystoid spaces as a phenotype of macular telangiectasia should be considered in the differentials for microcystic edema. Understanding the pathogenesis of these lesions may provide further insight into the role of Müller cell dysfunction in this disorder.

• Authors: Mali Okada, Catherine A Egan, Tjebo F C Heeren, Adnan Tufail, Marcus Fruttiger, Peter M Maloca
• Journal: Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.) (Retina) Vol. 38 Suppl 1 Pg. S97-S104 (Jan 2018) ISSN: 1539-2864 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 28834952 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Observational Study)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Ependymoglial Cells (pathology)
• Female
• Fluorescein Angiography (methods)
• Fundus Oculi
• Humans
• Macula Lutea (pathology, physiopathology)
• Macular Edema (diagnosis)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Phenotype
• Retrospective Studies
• Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic (diagnosis, physiopathology)
• Tomography, Optical Coherence (methods)
• Visual Acuity