The Origins of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy

Overview

Journal Br J Ophthalmol

Specialty Ophthalmology

Date 2005 Apr 19

PMID 15834093

Citations 68

Authors

M Yuzawa

R Mori

A Kawamura

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background/aim: There are two theories on the pathogenesis of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV): variants in choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) and inner choroidal vessel abnormalities. On indocyanine green angiography (IGA) with a video camera system, PCV has a characteristic appearance, but inadequate image quality has made detailed interpretation difficult. This study aims to improve imaging, using confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO), to elucidate the pathogenesis of PCV.

Methods: High speed IGA with confocal SLO of 45 eyes (44 patients) showed typical PCV findings of a branching vascular network and polypoidal lesions.

Results: Vessels comprising branching networks began to fill simultaneously with the surrounding choroidal arteries in 38 eyes. Small numbers of vessels filling within a branching network, in the arterial and arteriovenous phases of IGA, showed focal dilatation, constriction, and tortuousity. Vessel abnormalities, corresponding to polypoidal lesions, existed within a network in eight eyes and included loops similar in calibre to network vessels, and numerous microaneurysmal dilatations of small vessels. Vessel pulsation was seen in 24 eyes.

Conclusion: PCV is caused by inner choroidal vessel abnormalities, not CNV.

Citing Articles

Review on classification of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

Zhang W, Chen Y Int Ophthalmol. 2024; 44(1):427.

PMID: 39531122 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-024-03338-9.

Pachychoroid disease: review and update.

Cheung C, Dansingani K, Koizumi H, Lai T, Sivaprasad S, Boon C Eye (Lond). 2024; .

PMID: 39095470 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-024-03253-4.

Association between the arm-to-choroidal circulation time and clinical profile in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

Mukai R, Itagaki K, Honjyo J, Tanaka K, Norikawa K, Sekiryu T Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2024; 68(3):211-215.

PMID: 38609716 DOI: 10.1007/s10384-024-01057-3.

Macular neovascularization and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy: phenotypic variations, pathogenic mechanisms and implications in management.

Cheung C Eye (Lond). 2023; 38(4):659-667.

PMID: 37803144 PMC: 10920817. DOI: 10.1038/s41433-023-02764-w.

Recent Advances in Imaging Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy with Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

Gu X, Zhao X, Zhao Q, Wang Y, Chen Y Diagnostics (Basel). 2023; 13(14).

PMID: 37510200 PMC: 10377931. DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13142458.

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