title: [Indications and results of surgical removal of "congenital" epimacular membranes].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Congenital epimacular membranes differ from acquired membranes of young adults by their slow evolution and absence of vitreously their cortex detachment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report five observations. In all these cases of unilateral maculopathy, no etiologic factors were found. Surgical removal was required in only two of these cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  These membranes were whitish and presented extensions along retinal vessals to which they were very adhesive. The absence of posterior vitreous detachment was confirmed during vitrectomy and histopathologic examination found a predominance of extracellular matrix.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In these idiopathic membranes, clinical and histopathological findings evoke a dysembryopathy. Surgery decision must attach great importance to the relative amblyopia of these eyes, the low evolutivity and the risks of iatrogenic tears during dissection.
authors.affiliation: Service d'ophtalmologie, Hôpital Saint Roch, Nice.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gastaud
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Jammes-Veaux
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rouhette
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Durafourg
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lods
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000550:Amblyopia / Q000150:complications; D018450:Disease Progression; D019773:Epiretinal Membrane / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018579:Patient Selection; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy