[Multifocal ERG in central areolar choroidal dystrophy].
BACKGROUND
In comparison to full-field ERG a multifocal ERG (mf-ERG) provides functional mapping of the central retina and detection of more localised defects. Central areolar choroidal dystrophy is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder with central atrophy of the choriocapillaries, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the photoreceptors. Full-field ERG often shows only slight to moderate reductions. The purpose of our study was to investigate the electroretinographic activity of the posterior pole with the mf-ERG in comparison to the photopic full-field ERG in these patients.


METHODS
We performed a mf-ERG and a photopic full-field ERG in 4 patients with central areolar choroidal dystrophy and in 20 age-matched volunteers who constituted the normal control group.


RESULTS
In all patients reductions in b-wave amplitudes of the first order kernel of the mf-ERG in both eyes were evident. Full-field ERG showed decreased b-wave amplitudes in only three eyes. Subnormal amplitudes were found in two eyes and normal amplitudes in three eyes. Additionally ophthalmoscopic lesions were found to a lesser extent than by the mf-ERG.


CONCLUSIONS
The mf-ERG is a valuable tool in detecting central areolar choroidal dystrophy and might be useful in early detection and follow-up, when ophthalmoscopy and full-field ERG are still normal. Moreover it could contribute to differential diagnosis of other retinal diseases of the posterior pole.
Feigl
B
B
Universitäts-Augenklinik Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 4, 8036 Graz, Osterreich. beatrix.feigl@kfunigraz.ac.at
Haas
A
A
D000368:Aged; D015862:Choroid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000502:physiology