title: In vivo morphologic characteristics of Salzmann nodular degeneration with ultra-high-resolution optical coherence tomography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the in vivo morphologic properties of Salzmann nodular degeneration with ultra-high-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Interventional case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-center academic practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen eyes of 12 patients with Salzmann nodular degeneration were recruited to participate in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects were imaged using novel, custom-built ultra-high-resolution OCT. Images were used to describe in vivo characteristics of subepithelial nodules. Morphometric measurements were made with custom-built software. Ultra-high-resolution OCT findings were compared with histopathologic findings in 3 patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Identifiable in vivo morphologic characteristics of Salzmann nodular degeneration with ultra-high-resolution OCT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ultra-high-resolution OCT images demonstrate intraepithelial fibrous nodules with epithelial thinning and corneal surface elevation. The Bowman layer could be differentiated in 9 of 12 patients. The difference between the mean thickness of epithelium above the nodule and the thickness of normal epithelium was statistically significant (P < .0001). The correlation between thickness of the epithelium and thickness of the nodule was statistically significant (r = -0.48; P < .0001). The correlation between thickness of the nodule and total surface thickness (thickness of the epithelium + thickness of the nodule) was statistically significant (r = 0.98; P < .0001). Ultra-high-resolution OCT findings were consistent with histopathologic results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultra-high-resolution OCT can be used to noninvasively image the cornea in Salzmann nodular degeneration. This new imaging technique helps us to demonstrate different in vivo morphologic characteristics of Salzmann nodular degeneration.
authors.affiliation: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA.
authors.forename: Volkan
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hurmeric
authors.forename: Sonia H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Carol L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Karp
authors.forename: Anat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galor
authors.forename: Lejla
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vajzovic
authors.forename: Jianhua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Sander R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Dubovy
authors.forename: Richard K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Forster
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D050541:Bowman Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D003317:Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence