Histological findings of a surgically excised myopic choroidal neovascular membrane after photodynamic therapy. A case report.
BACKGROUND
The authors describe a myopic choroidal neovascular membrane excised 4 months after photodynamic therapy (PDT).


METHODS
A 68-year-old woman with classic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to pathologic myopia underwent PDT with verteporfin in the left eye. Four months after treatment a full-thickness macular hole was diagnosed in the same eye and the patient underwent vitrectomy with submacular membranectomy. The subfoveal membrane was studied by light microscopy and immunohistochemical techniques.


RESULTS
Light microscopy showed a thin fibrovascular membrane covered by residual retinal pigment epithelium. The membrane contained homogeneous matrix with small collagen bundles, fibroblasts and small blood vessels. The distribution of blood vessels was nonuniform: extravasated red blood cells, macrophages and other inflammatory elements were not present in the fibrous matrix. Endothelial cells were highlighted by CD34 immunostaining and did not show any significant alteration. There was no evidence of inflammatory cells or thrombosis inside vascular lumina.


CONCLUSIONS
Histologic examination of the neovascular membrane showed features similar to those of surgically excised myopic CNV without PDT treatment. Our findings suggest that PDT-induced occlusion is temporary. Fluorescein leakage from CNV after a single PDT treatment can be considered as an sign of blood vessel regrowth or recanalization indicating that multiple treatments are necessary.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy. scupola99@hotmail.com
A
A
Scupola
L
L
Ventura
A C
AC
Tiberti
D
D
D'Andrea
E
E
Balestrazzi
D000368:Aged; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D008566:Membranes / Q000473:pathology; D009216:Myopia / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077362:Verteporfin
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin