Torpedo maculopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the fluorescein angiographic, fundus autofluorescence and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings in patients with a unique unilateral lesion of the temporal macula previously named torpedo maculopathy.


METHODS
This study was a retrospective, observational case series. The medical records of 13 patients, age 1-68 years, seen between 1982 and 2009 were reviewed. Patients were evaluated for lesion features and course on follow-up, visual acuity, fluorescein angiography, visual-field defects, fundus autofluorescence and OCT findings.


RESULTS
In all 13 patients, the lesion was flat, torpedo-shaped and solitary, and involved the temporal macula. The hypopigmented lesion had well-defined margins and a characteristic leading edge which pointed towards the centre of the macula. Fluorescein angiography revealed transmission hyperfluorescence of the lesion. OCT indicated a thin abnormal retinal pigment epithelium signal, and Humphrey Visual Field testing revealed a corresponding blind spot. Fundus autofluorescence performed on one patient was dark in the affected area.


CONCLUSIONS
Torpedo maculopathy is an apparently congenital hypopigmented torpedo-shaped lesion of the temporal macula. Although it may result in a corresponding visual-field defect, these non-foveal lesions do not affect central visual acuity.
Golchet
Pamela R
PR
Department of Ophthalmology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Jampol
Lee M
LM
Mathura
Jeevan R
JR
Daily
Mark J
MJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D017496:Hypopigmentation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007223:Infant; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014792:Visual Acuity; D055815:Young Adult