Optical coherence tomography angiography as a diagnostic tool to detect non-exudative neovascular membranes upon retinal pigmented epithelium irregularities and the shallow irregular retinal pigmented epithelium elevation sign

Abstract

Purpose: To highlight the high positive predictive value of the retinal pigmentary epithelium (RPE) irregularity and the shallow irregular retinal pigmented epithelium elevation (SIRE) sign in identifying nonexudative neovascular membranes and underscore the usefulness of these signs in clinical practice. Methods: Retrospective case series analysis conducted in the medical retina clinic in one center. Results: Seven cases of patients with nonexudative neovascular membranes confirmed with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) imaging where RPE irregularity and/or SIRE sign had been described on standard structural optical coherence tomography (OCT). Conclusion: In this case series, we present a variety of phenotypes, some with apparently benign alterations, in which NE-MNV has been identified. Our findings suggest that OCTA screening for neovascular membranes is a useful tool for any patient presenting with irregular RPE and SIRE signal in their structural OCT image.

Keywords

• age-related macular degeneration
• nonexudative macular neovascularization
• optical coherence tomography angiography
• shallow irregular retinal pigmented epithelium elevation