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Indocyanine green and fluorescein angiography of surgically excised macular choroidal neovascularizations: correlations with histopathologic and ultrastructural findings

  • Clinical Investigation
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Abstract

• Background: Informations are expected from the histopathological study of surgically excised choroidal neovascular membranes (CNMs), particularly in relation to the angiographic aspects of vascular architecture.

• Methods: Fluorescein and indocyanine green (ICG) angiograms were studied together with the histopathological features of 12 surgically excised subfoveal CNMs in eyes affected by age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).

• Results: Instead of the early and delayed diffuse hyperfluorescence secondary to CNMs observed on fluorescein angiography (seven were well defined, five scar evolved), ICG revealed (a) very early hypofluorescence of the membrane bulk over the fluorescence of the outer choroidal vascular bed and (b) late hyperfluorescence gradually increasing and partially defining the border of membranes. CNMs with well-defined hyperfluorescent aspects were characterized by fibrovascular bulk lined on one side by retinal pigment epithelium. Fibrosis reaction predominated over the vascular components in scar-evolved membranes.

• Conclusions: Fluorescein and ICG angiographic differences in the appearance of CNMs could depend on (a) the morphological structure and size of the CNM (b) its location within the chorioretinal layers and (c) different molecular characteristics of the dyes used.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Scientific Institute H San Raffaele, University of Milan, Via Olgettina 60, I-20132, Milan, Italy

    Giuseppe Trabucchi, Rosario Brancato, Mariangela Verdi, Alfredo Pece, Ugo Introini, Paola Avanza & Giulio Modorati

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, H San Gerardo, Monza, Italy

    Vito De Molfetta & Pietro Airaghi

Authors
  1. Giuseppe Trabucchi
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  2. Rosario Brancato
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  3. Vito De Molfetta
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  4. Mariangela Verdi
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  5. Alfredo Pece
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  6. Ugo Introini
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  7. Paola Avanza
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  8. Giulio Modorati
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  9. Pietro Airaghi
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Trabucchi, G., Brancato, R., De Molfetta, V. et al. Indocyanine green and fluorescein angiography of surgically excised macular choroidal neovascularizations: correlations with histopathologic and ultrastructural findings. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 234, 294–299 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00220703

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00220703

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