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Serpiginous Choroidopathy

Introduction

Affects 30-70 year old (adult) males predominantly.
- Bilateral
- Lesions usually recurrent lasting weeks to months
- CNV can occur at margin of chorioretinopathy

Proposed pathophysiology:
- Due to immune mediated vasculitis with subsequent occlusion of choroidal vessels

Dead Giveaways

Fundus Appearance:

  • Linear grey-white retinal lesion resembling a coiled snake or medusa head, moving away from the disc.

    Lesions will develop pigmentation with chronicity
    Lesions will develop pigmentation with chronicity
    The inflammation appears as a very dark hypo-AF zone, with outer retinal layers undergoing atrophy. When active, appears with a hyper-AF border.
    The inflammation appears as a very dark hypo-AF zone, with outer retinal layers undergoing atrophy. When active, appears with a hyper-AF border.

OCT Appearance:

  • Active Lesions show hyper-reflectivity of RPE, EZ and ONL. SRF often present.

  • Chronic Lesions show outer retinal atrophy, choroidal hypertransmission

    Shows the outer retinal atrophy, EZ and RPE disruptions
    Shows the outer retinal atrophy, EZ and RPE disruptions
    From Gunduz G.U. et al. 2020. Shows the active EZ disruptions and hyperreflective ILM and what appears to be a FIPED. This FIPED does not have a homogenous dark appearance and appears to show mixed hyper/hypo-reflective material wtihin. This indicates the likely presence of neovascular material, specifically from the choroid (CNV).
    From Gunduz G.U. et al. 2020. Shows the active EZ disruptions and hyperreflective ILM and what appears to be a FIPED. This FIPED does not have a homogenous dark appearance and appears to show mixed hyper/hypo-reflective material wtihin. This indicates the likely presence of neovascular material, specifically from the choroid (CNV).

diagnostic features

Symptoms:

  • Typical of the white dot spectrum, such as blurred vision, scotomas, photopsia, floaters.

  • Can be asymptomatic


Prognosis:

  • Recurrent multiple inflammatory episodes

  • CNV occurs in areas of chorioretinal atrophy

2025, made by Eric Qin. UNSW. SOVS

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