Review for Diagnostics of the Year: Inflammatory Choroidal Neovascularization - Imaging Update

Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2023 May;31(4):819-825. doi: 10.1080/09273948.2022.2046793. Epub 2022 Apr 11.

Abstract

Inflammatory choroidal neovascularization (iCNV) is a rare complication of uveitis but is a major cause of vision compromise in affected patients. Fluorescein angiography (FA) has been the gold standard for diagnosis. However, it is an invasive modality and when used alone, it might be difficult to distinguish iCNV from inflammatory lesions. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive and rapid imaging modality that can provide additional features to diagnose iCNV. OCT angiography (OCTA) uses intrinsic motion contrast to visualize flow and is useful to distinguish iCNV from inflammatory lesions. However, its role in evaluating iCNV activity and treatment response is still unclear and more studies are required to reach consensus. In conclusion, the use of data from multimodal imaging is necessary to identify and promptly treat iCNV, thus preserving patient vision.

Keywords: Fluorescein angiography; indocyanine green angiography; inflammatory choroidal neovascularization; optical coherence tomography; optical coherence tomography angiography; uveitis.

MeSH terms

  • Choroid
  • Choroidal Neovascularization* / diagnostic imaging
  • Choroidal Neovascularization* / etiology
  • Fluorescein Angiography / methods
  • Humans
  • Multimodal Imaging
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence / methods
  • Uveitis* / complications
  • Uveitis* / diagnosis