Fatal child abuse detected by systematic post-mortem fundus photograph in sudden death in infancy.

In living children, the use of a wide field fundus camera such as RetCam is the gold standard practice to document retinal haemorrhages in suspected cases of abusive head trauma (AHT). In case of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), child abuse must be considered as a possible cause of death and an eye examination is required. However, no example of post-mortem fundus photograph (PMFP) of retinal haemorrhages related to AHT is yet available for clinicians.We report a SUDI case, with no external traumatic lesions or limb fractures, for which prompt PMFP showed retinal haemorrhages typical of AHT: child abuse was subsequently confirmed by the forensic investigation. We discuss why PMFP is a relevant screening test to detect retinal haemorrhages in the case of SUDI and why the use of the RetCam should be further investigated.

Animal models of pediatric abusive head trauma.

BACKGROUND: Abusive head trauma (AHT), previously known as the shaken baby syndrome, is a severe and potentially fatal form of traumatic brain injury in infant children who have been shaken, and sometimes also sustained an additional head impact. The clinical and autopsy findings in AHT are not pathognomonic and, due to frequent obfuscation by perpetrators, the circumstances surrounding the alleged abuse are often unclear. The concept has evolved that the finding of the combination of subdural hemorrhage, brain injury, and retinal hemorrhages ("the triad") is the result of shaking of an infant ("shaken baby syndrome") and has led to the ongoing controversy whether shaking alone is able to generate sufficient force to produce these lesions. OBJECTIVE: In an attempt to investigate whether shaking can engender this lesion triad, animal models have been developed in laboratory rodents and domestic animal species. This review assesses the utility of these animal models to reliably reproduce human AHT pathology and evaluate the effects of shaking on the immature brain. RESULTS: Due largely to irreconcilable anatomic species differences between these animal brains and human infants, and a lack of resemblance of the experimental head shaking induced by mechanical devices to real-world human neurotrauma, no animal model has been able to reliably reproduce the full range of neuropathologic AHT changes. CONCLUSION: Some animal models can simulate specific brain and ophthalmic lesions found in human AHT cases and provide useful information on their pathogenesis. Moreover, one animal model demonstrated that shaking of a freely mobile head, without an additional head impact, could be lethal, and produce significant brain pathology.

The Feasibility of Using Ultra-Widefield Retinal Imaging to Identify Ocular Pathologies amongst Those with Systemic Medical Disease Attending a Tertiary Healthcare Facility at a University Hospital.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of ultra-widefield (UWF) imaging to identify ocular pathologies amongst in- and out-patients in a tertiary university hospital. METHODS: We followed a prospective double-blinded multicenter clinical study. In total, 634 patients from a university hospital with pulmonary, cardiovascular, and endocrine diseases were examined by two teams by conventional slit-lamp biomicroscopy (CBM). UWF images with Optos Tx200 were taken and subsequently graded independently by two retina specialists and graders from two reading centers for the presence of pre-defined pathologies. Interrater reliability was calculated using Fleiss statistical software. An independent, trained and certified ophthalmologist with retinal subspecialty (BL) classified all UWF images with retinal hemorrhages by severity and interrater agreement. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 502 patients. The Moorfields Eye Hospital Reading Center, London, UK (RM), reported the highest number of cases with retinal pathologies (378), and the Reading Center GRADE Bonn, Germany (RB), did so for cases with optic disc cupping (466). Two retinal consultants (R1 and R2) from the Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg GmbH, Campus Giessen, Germany, noted optic disc pathologies. R1 reported 151 cases with optic disc pallor, while R2 reported only 39 disc pathologies. Both for clinical and for image readers, the early changes had equally low interrater reliability. The presence of at least 3 retinal hemorrhages had the highest interrater reliability (0.59). CONCLUSIONS: UWF imaging is convenient to identify overt retinal pathologies in patients at risk of ocular complications of their systemic disease who are attending hospital clinics. Imaging the eye allows for remote retinal assessment and for placing the patient into the appropriate clinical pathway for ophthalmology. PRECIS: UWF-imaging in a population of in- and out-patients at a university hospital who are at risk of retinal complications is effective to detect overt retinal pathologies and allows for tele-ophthalmology approaches to be enabled for placing the patients into the appropriate clinical pathways.

Modeling retinal detachment associated with hemorrhage by Monte Carlo simulation.

In this work we study fundus reflection in the case of retinal detachment. Vitreous humor builds up beneath the retina through a break in the retina or when there is traction on the retina. Further, we assume that this detachment is associated with hemorrhage in regions both above and below the retina. To investigate hemorrhage, we assume erythrocytes to be spheres of different radii. Then we apply Mie scattering theory to these spheres and calculate the scattering coefficient, the absorption coefficient, and the anisotropy factor. Using these parameters, we apply Monte Carlo simulation to calculate reflection. In order to model fundus reflection under retinal detachment, we define three types of reflection: reflection from the vitreous body, retinal reflection where photons are reflected from the retinal vitreous interface once, and retinal reflection where photons are reflected many times from the retinal vitreous interface.

Histopathological Changes and Clinical Outcomes following Intervention for Sub-Internal Limiting Membrane Haemorrhage.

INTRODUCTION: Haemorrhage confined to the sub-internal limiting membrane (ILM) space can be associated with good visual recovery. There is controversy as to the best management of purely sub-ILM haemorrhage, which ranges from observation to immediate surgical intervention. METHODS: We studied a retrospective case series of patients with sub-ILM haemorrhage who underwent vitrectomy with subsequent histological analysis of the removed ILM. RESULTS: Sixteen patients underwent vitrectomy for sub-ILM haemorrhage. Five patients had underlying Terson syndrome, 6 had ruptured macro-aneurysms, and 5 had Valsalva retinopathy. Seven patients demonstrated cellular proliferation on the retinal surface of the ILM with staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein and cytokeratin 7, as well as CD68pg and Prussian blue. All but 1 of these cases were isolated from patients undergoing surgery >4 weeks following initial symptoms, the other presented at >2 weeks. Serial optical coherence tomography (OCT) was available in 8 patients; serial OCT in patients with delayed intervention demonstrated persistent inner retinal layer hyper-reflectance. Fourteen of 15 patients demonstrated symptomatic recovery and showed visual improvement with acuity ranging from -0.1 to 1.8 (mean 0.43) within 3 months of intervention (1 was lost to follow-up). The post-operative vision was 0.11 logMAR (mean; range -0.1 to 0.4) at 3 months in the group with intervention within 2 weeks of symptoms, and 0.9 logMAR (mean; range 0.0 to HM) in the group with delayed surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Early surgical intervention for sub-ILM haemorrhage resulted in good visual outcomes; delayed surgery may lead to proliferative vitreoretinopathy-like changes on the inner retinal surface of the ILM, and untreated cases may demonstrate persistent inner retinal changes potentially limiting visual prognosis despite subsequent surgical intervention.

Purtscher-like retinopathy presented a honeycomb-like pattern in optical coherence topography angiography.

BACKGROUND: To report a case of Purtscher-like retinopathy (PUR) and the optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCT-A) findings before and after treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: A 65-year-old male presented with acute onset of vision loss for 2 weeks. Fundus examination revealed cotton-wool spots, retinal haemorrhage, and Purtscher flecken spread around the optic disc in the right eye. He was diagnosed with Purtscher-like retinopathy because he lacked any traumatic medical history. OCT presented some band-like hyperreflective lesions at the inner nuclear layer, which are indicative of paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM). OCT-A revealed apparent reduction in blood flow signal at the deep retina and choriocapillaris layers with a honeycomb-like hypointense signal pattern. After 3 months of follow-up, OCT revealed resolution of retinal oedema, but PAMM lesions remained visible. Based on OCT-A, the honeycomb-like pattern turned into a homogeneous reduction in blood flow with small patches of hypointense signal areas in the choriocapillaris. CONCLUSION: This case presented a new OCT-A sign in PUR with a honeycomb-like hypointense signal at the choriocapillaris layer, indicating the involvement and ischaemia of the choroid during the pathological process.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN RETINAL HEMORRHAGIC PATTERNS AND PERFUSION STATUS IN EYES WITH ACUTE CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION.

PURPOSE: To evaluate peripheral retinal hemorrhagic patterns in eyes with acute central retinal vein occlusion, and to explore their clinical relevance in differentiating for the retinal perfusion status, through a prospective, and cross-sectional study. METHODS: Fifty eyes with acute central retinal vein occlusion were included. Retinal hemorrhagic patterns at the equator and retinal perfusion status were evaluated by ultra-wide field fundus photography and fluorescein angiography. RESULTS: Retinal perfusion was categorized as nonischemic in 29 eyes, ischemic in 18 eyes, and undeterminable in 3 eyes. None of the examined eyes had flame-shaped retinal hemorrhages in the periphery. All hemorrhages were rounded-dot or blot and were variable in size. Particle analysis was performed to quantify hemorrhage size, and showed higher values in eyes having larger blot hemorrhages, and lower values in eyes having dot or smaller blot hemorrhages. Mean size of maximum peripheral dot or blot hemorrhage was larger in eyes classified as ischemic (10,763.0 ± 5,946.3 pixels) than as nonischemic (2,839.9 ± 1,153.6 pixels, P < 0.001). The authors calculated area under the curve to investigate the ability of continuous variables to discriminate retinal perfusion status, which was 0.963 (P < 0.001) for mean size of maximum peripheral blot hemorrhages. CONCLUSION: The authors objectively evaluated retinal hemorrhagic patterns at the equator in eyes with acute central retinal vein occlusion using particle analysis. The resulting hemorrhage size measurement was considered to be often useful in determining retinal perfusion status. Because they can be noninvasively evaluated with readily available equipment, peripheral hemorrhagic patterns might be good clinical markers of retinal perfusion.

Atypical acute retinal necrosis accompanied by Terson's syndrome: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Acute retinal necrosis (ARN) has characterized by panuveitis, vitritis, severe vaso-occlusive vasculitis, and diffuse necrotizing retinitis. There are no case reports on atypical ARN combined with Terson's syndrome. Herein, we report a case of ARN with atypical clinical features combined with Terson's syndrome that we successfully treated by intravitreal ganciclovir injection. CASE PRESENTATION: A 64-year-old man visited our eye clinic with a complaint of decreased visual acuity in his right eye. At the initial visit, his best corrected visual acuity was 20/125 in the right eye. Slit-lamp examination demonstrated mild hyperemia, keratic precipitates, and anterior chamber inflammatory reaction. Fundus examination revealed multiple diffuse white-yellowish infiltrations in the peripheral retina combined with dot hemorrhages. Ultra-wide-field fluorescence angiography showed obstructive arteritis with peripheral non-perfusion and leakage from the retinal vessels. As a result of the PCR analysis, varicella zoster virus DNA was identified in the aqueous humor. Under the diagnosis with VZV-mediated ARN, we started with intravenous acyclovir and oral prednisolone. After 3 days of the above treatment, the anterior chamber inflammation and vitreous opacity were increased. On fundus examination, multiple whitish infiltrations were increased. In addition, newly developed vitreous and peripapillary hemorrhages were detected. On the T2 brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a sub-acute or old hemorrhagic infarction in the right occipital lobe, and contrast-enhancing lesions in the right basal ganglia. The spinal tapping was performed in the department of neurology in our hospital at the time when the patient complained of headache, and intracranial pressure was 31 mmHg. Under the diagnosis of ARN with Terson's syndrome, we started intravitreal ganciclovir (2 mg/0.5 ml) injections. After 5 intravitreal ganciclovir injections over a period of 8 months, the diffuse whitish infiltrating retinal lesions combined with dot hemorrhage were decreased. The vitreous and peripapillary hemorrhage was significantly reduced. There was no recurrence in the patient's right eye, in which his visual acuity had improved to 20/60. CONCLUSIONS: In the event of a poor response to traditional treatment such as intravenous acyclovir, intravitreal ganciclovir may have a role as an adjunctive therapy in patients of VZV associated ARN combined with Terson's syndrome.

Optic Disc Hemorrhages and Laminar Disinsertions in Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To determine whether structural abnormalities of the lamina cribrosa explain the presence of optic disc hemorrhages, we determined the spatial concordance between disc hemorrhages and laminar disinsertions from the sclera. DESIGN: Prospective noninterventional study. PARTICIPANTS: From open-angle glaucoma patients followed up prospectively, we identified 52 eyes of 46 open-angle glaucoma patients with optic disc hemorrhage (ODH+ group) in at least 1 optic disc photograph during follow-up. We also identified 52 control eyes of 46 glaucoma patients in whom no disc hemorrhage was detected (ODH- group). METHODS: Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography of the optic nerve head (24 radial scans) was performed. The scans were de-identified and a trained observer masked to all clinical information determined the presence of laminar disinsertions in each of the 48 positions with a confidence score of 1 (least certain) to 5 (most certain). Only disinsertions with a score of 3 or more were included in the analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency and spatial concordance between disc hemorrhages and laminar disinsertions. RESULTS: The median age, visual field mean deviation, and follow-up period of the ODH+ and ODH- groups was 77.5 and 70.8 years, -5.20 and -4.70 dB, and 10.4 and 9.9 years, respectively. There were 84 hemorrhages recorded in the ODH+ group. There were laminar disinsertions in 50 eyes (96%) in the ODH+ group and in 27 eyes (52%) in the ODH- group, with 2 or more disinsertions in 30 eyes (58%) and 5 eyes (10%), respectively. Most hemorrhages and disinsertions were located in the inferotemporal and superotemporal sectors. However, in individual patients, only 33 of the ODHs (39%) were located within a laminar disinsertion. CONCLUSIONS: Laminar disinsertions occurred twice as frequently in eyes with ODHs; however, in individual patients, the spatial concordance between ODHs and laminar disinsertions was poor.

African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study (ADAGES): Racial Differences in Optic Disc Hemorrhage and Beta-Zone Parapapillary Atrophy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the differences in the frequency of optic disc hemorrhage (DH) and prevalence of beta-zone parapapillary atrophy (ßPPA) between individuals of African descent (AD) and European descent (ED). DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter, observational cohort. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1950 eyes of 1172 participants of the African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study (ADAGES). METHODS: Stereoscopic disc photographs of subjects with and without glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON) followed during the first 13 years of the ADAGES underwent masked review searching for DH and ßPPA. A total of 928 eyes (non-GON, 581; GON, 347) of 551 AD patients (non-GON, 334; GON, 217) and 1022 eyes (non-GON, 568; GON, 454) of 611 ED patients (non-GON, 334; GON, 277) were included. We compared the number of eyes with detected DH at any time during follow-up and eyes with ßPPA between the AD and ED groups. The analyses were then adjusted for clinical parameters using multivariable logistic regression. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Differences in frequency of DH and prevalence of ßPPA. RESULTS: A total of 9395 stereoscopic disc photographs were reviewed. More ED eyes experience DH than AD eyes (49/1022 [4.8%] vs. 10/928 eyes [1.1%], respectively; P < 0.001), whereas ßPPA had higher prevalence in AD eyes (675 eyes [72%] vs. 659 eyes [64%]; P < 0.001). In the final multivariable model, after controlling for confounders, AD eyes were less likely to have at least 1 detected DH than ED eyes (odds ratio [OR], 0.21; 95% CI, 0.10-0.45; P < 0.001) but were more likely to have ßPPA than ED eyes (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.12-2.14; P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Subjects of ED are at higher risk for developing DH compared with AD subjects, whereas AD subjects have greater prevalence of ßPPA. These findings suggest that there are structural differences within the optic nerve complex between these groups. Further research is needed to determine whether racial differences in the frequency of DH and prevalence of ßPPA affect the likelihood of glaucomatous progression.

Update on abusive head trauma.

PURPOSES OF REVIEW: This article provides an update on abusive head trauma (AHT), focusing on new developments most salient to the emergency medicine clinician, including epidemiology, clinical recognition, diagnostic work-up, management of neurologic injury, and public health implications. RECENT FINDINGS: The recent literature has focused on honing the clinician's ability to recognize AHT and its immediate sequelae, to more accurately distinguish between abusive and accidental head injuries by patterns of neuroimaging and retinal hemorrhages, and to appreciate the long-term impacts. Specifically, both a clinical prediction rule and biomarker show promise, and new research advocates for the early identification of subclinical seizures as well as cervical spine injuries. SUMMARY: The emergency medicine provider must be able to recognize and manage children who may have AHT and to appreciate when the diagnostic findings warrant consultation with a child protection team. These authors summarize the recent and notable advances in our understanding of AHT.

Pigment Deposition in the Rat Retina.

Incidental findings in the rat eye are not uncommon in acute and long-term toxicological studies. These findings can be associated with a number of causes unrelated to treatment with the test article, including congenital malformation, trauma, infection, metabolic disease, genetic predisposition, and age-related changes. The occurrence of pigment deposition in the retina of Wistar Hannover (Crl:WI (Han)) rats in a 4-week toxicity study is reported in this communication. The microscopic examination of the eyes in the 4-week toxicity study revealed focal yellow-brown pigment deposits in the retina, mainly located in the ganglion cell layer. The retinal pigment deposits were randomly distributed in the control and treated groups and were considered incidental. The deposits were clearly positive for ferric iron in the Perls' stain but not for lipofuscin by the Schmorl's and Long Ziehl-Neelsen methods. The iron-containing pigment is likely to represent hemosiderin accumulation after retinal micro-hemorrhage or could be indicative of the normal intraretinal iron transport and turnover.

Multimodal Imaging of Cotton Wool Spots in Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion.

PURPOSE: To describe and follow cotton wool spots (CWS) in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) using multimodal imaging. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study including 24 patients with new-onset BRVO, CWS were described and analyzed in color fundus photography (CF), spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), infrared (IR) and fluorescein angiography (FA) every 3 months for 3 years. The CWS area on SD-OCT and CF was evaluated using OCT-Tool-Kit software: CWS were marked in each single OCT B-scan and the software calculated the area by interpolation. RESULTS: 29 central CWS lesions were found. 100% of these CWS were visible on SD-OCT, 100% on FA and 86.2% on IR imaging, but only 65.5% on CF imaging. CWS were visible for 12.4 ± 7.5 months on SD-OCT, for 4.4 ± 3 months and 4.3 ± 3.4 months on CF and on IR, respectively, and for 17.5 ± 7.1 months on FA. The evaluated CWS area on SD-OCT was larger than on CF (0.26 ± 0.17 mm(2) vs. 0.13 ± 0.1 mm(2), p < 0.0001). The CWS area on SD-OCT and surrounding pathology such as intraretinal cysts, avascular zones and intraretinal hemorrhage were predictive for how long CWS remained visible (r(2) = 0.497, p < 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The lifetime and presentation of CWS in BRVO seem comparable to other diseases. SD-OCT shows a higher sensitivity for detecting CWS compared to CF. The duration of visibility of CWS varies among different image modalities and depends on the surrounding pathology and the CWS size.

MR detection of retinal hemorrhages: correlation with graded ophthalmologic exam.

BACKGROUND: Dilated fundoscopic exam is considered the gold standard for detecting retinal hemorrhage, but expertise in obtaining this exam is not always immediately available. MRI can detect retinal hemorrhages, but correlation of the grade or severity of retinal hemorrhage on dilated fundoscopic exam with retinal hemorrhage visibility on MRI has not been described. OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of standard brain protocol MRI in detecting retinal hemorrhage and to determine whether there is any correlation with MR detection of retinal hemorrhage and the dilated fundoscopic exam grade of hemorrhage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 77 children <2 years old who were seen for head trauma from April 2007 to July 2013 and had both brain MRI and dilated fundoscopic exam or retinal camera images. A staff pediatric radiologist and radiology resident reviewed the MR images. Retinal hemorrhages were graded by a chief ophthalmology resident on a 12-point scale based on the retinal hemorrhage type, size, location and extent as seen on review of retinal camera images and detailed reports by ophthalmologists. Higher scores indicated increased severity of retinal hemorrhages. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in the median grade of retinal hemorrhage examination between children who had retinal hemorrhage detected on MRI and children who did not have retinal hemorrhage detected on MRI (P = 0.02). When examination grade was categorized as low-grade (1-4), moderate-grade (5-8) or high-grade (>8) hemorrhage, there was a statistically significant association between exam grade and diagnosis based on MRI (P = 0.008). For example, only 14% of children with low-grade retinal hemorrhages were identified on MRI compared to 76% of children with high-grade hemorrhages. MR detection of retinal hemorrhage demonstrated a sensitivity of 61%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100% and negative predictive value of 63%. Retinal hemorrhage was best seen on the gradient recalled echo (GRE) sequences. CONCLUSION: MRI using routine brain protocol demonstrated 61% sensitivity and 100% specificity in detecting retinal hemorrhage. High-grade hemorrhage was more often detected on MRI than low-grade hemorrhage, 76% vs. 14%. GRE images were the most sensitive for detection of retinal hemorrhages. A dilated fundoscopic exam can be difficult to obtain in infancy, especially in critically ill or non-sedated children. MRI is a useful modality for added documentation of retinal hemorrhage and can be used as an alternative exam when ophthalmologic expertise or retinal camera images are unavailable. Additionally, identification of retinal hemorrhage on MRI can raise the possibility of abuse in children presenting with nonspecific findings.

The significance of macrocephaly or enlarging head circumference in infants with the triad: further evidence of mimics of shaken baby syndrome.

Infants with the triad (neurologic dysfunction, subdural hematoma [SDH], and retinal hemorrhage) are often diagnosed as victims of shaken baby syndrome. Medical conditions/predisposing factors to developing the triad are often dismissed: short falls, birth-related SDH that enlarges, macrocephaly, sinus/cortical vein thrombosis, and others. Six infants with the triad are described in which child abuse was diagnosed, but parents denied wrongdoing. All 6 had either macrocephaly or enlarging head circumference, which suggested medical explanations. Three infants incurred short falls, 1 had a difficult delivery in which there was likely a rebleed of a birth-related SDH, 1 had a spontaneous SDH associated with increased extra-axial fluid spaces, and 1 had a sinus thrombosis. Following legal proceedings, all 6 infants were returned to their parents, and there has been no child maltreatment in follow-up, suggesting child abuse never happened. The results indicate that alternative medical explanations for causing the triad should be considered and that macrocephaly or an enlarging head circumference raises the possibility of a medical explanation.

[Clinical Research of Factors Influencing Visual Outcomes in Patients with Hemorrhagic Retinal Arterial Macroaneurysms].

PURPOSE: To identify factors influencing visual outcomes in patients with hemorrhagic retinal arterial macroaneurysms (MA). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 13 eyes of 13 patients with hemorrhagic MAs. We evaluated factors. including age, blood pressure, ocular perfusion pressure, optic disc-MA distance, MA-fovea distance, the area of the hemorrhage, the time between onset and treatment, initial visual acuity, and the presence of subfoveal hemorrhage. Additionally, we measured the retinal cross-sectional area of the fovea with optical coherence tomography (OCT). RESULTS: There were significant differences in MA-fovea distance, area of the subretinal hemorrhage, and visual outcome in eyes with or without subfoveal hemorrhage (p < 0.05). Spearman's correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between visual outcome (logMAR) and disc-MA distance (rS = -0.61, p < 0.05), as well as MA-fovea distance (rS = -0.79, p < 0.01). A multivariate analysis showed an independent negative correlation between visual outcome and MA-fovea distance (Stdß = -0.66, t = 3.21, p < 0.01). In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between MA-fovea distance and the affected-/healthy-eye ratio of outer-retinal-layer cross-sectional area in the fovea (rS = 0.64, p < 0.05). The cutoff value of MA-fovea distance for subfoveal hemorrhage was 3000 microns, with a sensitivity of 100, specificity of 77.8, positive predictive value of 66.7 and a negative predictive value of 100. CONCLUSIONS: When hemorrhagic MAs are located closer to the fovea, the outer retinal layer is more severely affected and visual outcomes are poorer. Subfoveal hemorrhage should be considered even when it is not apparent, especially when the hemorrhagic MA is located within 3000 microns of the fovea.

[Surgery for age-related macular degeneration. Still an option in the age of pharmacotherapy?]. / Chirurgie der altersbedingten Makuladegeneration--Ist das im Zeitalter der Pharmakotherapie noch eine Option?

This review assesses the relevance of surgical approaches for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with respect to the pathophysiology of AMD and the current pharmacological possibilities. We discuss the different surgical approaches such as subretinal membrane excision, cell transplantation (IPE and RPE) and transplantation of retina and choroid (PATCH), as well as translocation surgery. Peeling of epiretinal membranes in patients with drusen as well as vitrectomy before epiretinal brachytherapy (VIDEON system) are the final topics. While overall pharmacotherapy has displaced surgical approaches, surgery is worthy of consideration in selected cases. For these patients surgical options need to be maintained in the armamentarium of retinal surgeons.

Early features in acute macular neuroretinopathy.

Acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMNR) is a rare disorder characterised by acute onset of unilateral or bilateral visual impairment associated with reddish-brown wedge-shaped outer macular lesions. It is more frequently reported in young females and though the pathophysiology remains unclear, factors reported in association with its onset include post-viral illness and vasoconstrictor use. We report a case of AMNR in an 18-year old female patient presenting with a 2-day history of acute painless blurring of central vision bilaterally, following 1 month of preceding flu-like illness. For 1 week prior to presentation, the patient had taken large doses of oral preparations containing phenylephrine hydrochloride. In addition to demonstrating characteristic optical coherence tomography findings seen in AMNR, we illustrate some rarely seen acute ophthalmoscopic features. Based on associations from this case, we add further insight into the pathophysiology of this condition which remains poorly understood.