[Angiographic-histological correlation of late exudative age-related macular degeneration].
OBJECTIVE
To correlate the fluorescein angiographic (FAG) classification in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with the histology of surgically excised choroidal neovascularization (CNV) membrane specimens.


METHODS
36 subretinal lesions surgically excised during macular translocation were investigated by light microscopy. Histologic results were correlated with fluorescein angiographic findings.


RESULTS
Classic CNV lesions showed a subretinal fibrovascular membrane on histological examination. About 50% of the investigated classic CNV lesions had additional subpigment epithelial components, too. Occult CNV lesions showed a subpigment epithelial fibrovascular membrane on histological examination. A common histological component in lesions of exudative age-related macula degeneration was the appearance of diffuse deposits at the choroidal side of the retinal pigment epithelium.


CONCLUSIONS
Different FAG characteristics in exudative AMD lesions were comparable with the histological results. In correspondence with FAG classification the CNV membranes were localized in different positions in relation to the RPE.
Hermans
P
P
Augenabteilung St.Franziskus Hospital Münster. dapauleikhoff@muenster.de
Lommatzsch
A
A
Bomfeld
N
N
Pauleikhoff
D
D
D000368:Aged; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019773:Epiretinal Membrane / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D008028:Light Coagulation; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity