Outer Retinal Tubulation in Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate outer retinal tubulation (ORT) found in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) using color fundus photography and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: ORT identified in patients with chronic CSC was examined using color fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence image, fluorescein angiography, indocyanin green angiography, and SD-OCT. The images were analyzed for morphological features, location, and size of ORT in the retinal layers. RESULTS: ORT was detected in 3 of 342 (0.88%) chronic CSC patients. Color fundus photography revealed circular or ovoid shape with hollow lumen and deep yellowish border mainly appearing at the affected retinal pigment epithelium layer in the macular area. SD-OCT B-scan revealed hyperreflective material observed inside the hyporeflective internal space with hyperreflective border. ORT had circular or ovoid shape on the SD-OCT C-scan. ORT was primarily located on the outer nuclear layer in the retina, emanating to the inner nuclear layer and was not greater than 170 x 170 microm in size when measured with SD-OCT B-scan image. CONCLUSIONS: ORT was identified in patients with chronic CSC which was observed using color fundus photography and circular or ovoid structure was observed using a SD-OCT C-scan.