|
 
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| CASE REPORT |
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| Year : 2020 | Volume
: 34
| Issue : 2 | Page : 139-141 |
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Favourable outcome in retinal macrovessel-related choroidal neovascularization
Waseem M Al-Zamil1, Moustafa S Magliyah2
1 Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia
2 Prince Mohammed Medical City, Saudi Arabia
| Date of Submission | 03-Oct-2018 |
| Date of Decision | 23-Jan-2019 |
| Date of Acceptance | 22-Apr-2019 |
| Date of Web Publication | 28-Dec-2020 |
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Moustafa S Magliyah
Vitreoretinal Division, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, PO Box 7191 Riyadh 11462
Saudi Arabia
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/1319-4534.305037
Congenital retinal macrovessel (CRM) is an aberrant retinal blood vessel, which crosses the central macula and has tributaries extending on both sides of the horizontal raphe. It is a rare vascular condition, usually asymptomatic and incidentally discovered on routine fundus exam. This report describes a case of venous CRM associated with visual impairment secondary to choroidal nonvascular membrane (CNV). Treatment with intravitreal injection of aflibercept resulted in a favourable visual as well as anatomical outcome.
Keywords: Aberrant retinal vessel, choroidal nonvascular membrane, congenital retinal macrovessel
How to cite this article:
Al-Zamil WM, Magliyah MS. Favourable outcome in retinal macrovessel-related choroidal neovascularization. Saudi J Ophthalmol 2020;34:139-41 |
How to cite this URL:
Al-Zamil WM, Magliyah MS. Favourable outcome in retinal macrovessel-related choroidal neovascularization. Saudi J Ophthalmol [serial online] 2020 [cited 2021 Jan 17];34:139-41. Available from: http://www.sjo.org/text.asp?2020/34/2/139/305037 |
| Introduction | |  |
In 1869, Mauthner[1] first described a large aberrant retinal blood vessel, frequently a vein, crossing the horizontal raphe in the region of the macula. Brown et al.[2] reported the fluorescein angiographic and clinical features of congenital retinal macrovessel (CRM) in 1982. The condition is rare and usually unilateral. CRM is believed to originate from abnormal fetal development between the 15th and 16th weeks of embryogenesis.[3]
CRM is often an incidental finding and often does not cause impairment in vision. Previous case reports have shown associations of CRM with cavernous hemangioma[4], branch retinal artery occlusion[5], vitreous hemorrhage[6], central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR)[7],[8], retinal ischemia[9], macroaneurysm[10] rhegmatogenous retinal detachments[11] and reduced vision due to obscuration of the fovea by CRM.[12] A recent study[13] has shown an association between CRM and venous malformation of the brain. Here, we report a case of CRM complicated by choroidal nonvascular membrane (CNV). To our knowledge, this is the first case of CRM complicated by CNV.
| Case report | | |
A 41-year-old healthy male presented with decreased vision in his right eye of two weeks duration. His past and family medical histories were unremarkable. He was a non-smoker, wasn't exposed to a stressful events or use steroids before. On ophthalmic examination, the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/100 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye. Intraocular pressures was 15mmHg in the right eye and 16mmHg in the left eye by tono-pen. Slit-lamp examination of the anterior segment of both eyes was normal. Fundus examination was normal in the left eye but revealed a superior aberrant retinal blood vessel which traverses the horizontal raphe adjacent to the fovea in the right eye [Figure 1]. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) of right eye was performed and showed subretinal fluid (SRF) and CNV complex [Figure 2]a. Fundus Flourescein Angiography (FFA) has shown foveal leakage in the late venous phase with an adjacent area of blockage due to subretinal hemorrhage which was not manifest clinically [Figure 3]. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain was done to detect vascular malformations was performed and evaluated by a neuroradiologist and did not show vascular abnormalities. | Figure 1: Fundus photograph at presentation shows (a) the retinal macrovessel which was a branch of the superotemporal vein with two tributaries crossing the horizontal raphe around the fovea in the right eye,
(b) shows normal retinal vasculature nasal to the disc of the same eye.
(c) shows normal retinal vasculature in the left eye
Click here to view |
 | Figure 2: SD-OCT of the right eye on presentation (a) shows an active CNV complex with SRF. (b) shows complete resolution of SRF
Click here to view |
 | Figure 3: FFA of the right eye in the late venous phase showing foveal leakage with an adjacent area of blockage due to subretinal hemorrhage
Click here to view |
After being informed about the risks and benefits of intravitreal aflibercept as a treatment option, the patient agreed to receive an injection of intravitreal aflibercept (2mg/0.05ml) under sterile conditions in his right eye. At one month follow up, BCVA improved to 20/40 with significant decrease in the subretinal fluid. A second intravitreal injection of aflibercept was administered one month later. One month following the second dose, BCVA improved to 20/25 in the right eye with complete resolution of subretinal fluid [Figure 2b]. This picture was maintained till 12months follow up with no signs or symptoms of recurrences.
| Discussion | | |
Congenital retinal macrovessel is anomalous retinal blood vessel, which developed during embryogenesis. Usually, this lesion is considered to be isolated and asymptomatic. In this case, decreased vision was developed from CNV likely complicating a venous tributary branching off the macrovessel causing alterations in the Bruch's membrane and increased vascular permeability which was reduced by administration of intravitreal aflibercept injections. Patient's age, absence of risk factors and the presence of subretinal hemorrhage on FFA have made the diagnosis of CSCR unlikely in this case.
The occurence of vitreous hemorrhage and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment expose the patient to the risks of retinal surgeries with vision not fully restored.[6],[11] Association of CRM with branch retinal artery occlusion or retinal ischemia results in irreversible retinal damage, decreased vision and visual feild loss. The favourable outcome in our case indicates that decreased vision in cases with CRM due to CNV is reversible and carries a good prognosis, especially if it was discovered and treated early. It is very important for ophthalmologists who find CRM in patients who report recent decrease in visual acuity to look for CNV as it is has a relatively good prognosis in these cases and prompt treatment with Anti-VEGF could improve vision in these patients. Brain MRI is also advisable for all patients who have CRM as there is 24% risk of associated venous malformations.[12]
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
| References | | |
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| 2. | Brown GC, Donoso LA, Magargal LE, Goldberg RE, Sarin LK. Congenital retinal macrovessels. Arch Ophthalmol 1982;100:1430–6. |
| 3. | de Crecchio G, Alfieri MC, Cennamo G, Forte R. Congenital macular macrovessels. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2006;244:1183–7. |
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| 6. | Goel N, Kumar V, Ghosh B. Congenital retinal macrovessel associated with vitreous hemorrhage. J AAPOS 2017;21:83e85. |
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| 11. | Kumar V, Goel N. Congenital retinal macrovessel in a patient with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Ind J Ophthalmol 2018;66(12):1860–1. |
| 12. | Chawla R, Bypareddy R, Tripathy K, Daggumili SS, Tomar AS. Optical coherence tomography angiography imaging of congenital retinal macrovessel. Ophthal Surg Las Imag Retina 2016;47:972e973. |
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[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3]
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