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Description
A 40-year-old male patient presented with a history of surgery in the left eye for retinal detachment 1 year ago. His history of medical and surgical interventions was incomplete as the patient lost all his previous records. On examination, visual acuity was 20/20 in the right eye and hand movement close to face with accurate projection of rays in the left eye. Both eye corneas were clear with normal anterior chambers. The right eye had a clear lens, and the fundus was within normal limits. Whereas in the left eye, a total cataract was present. This hindered the retinal evaluation. Intraocular pressures were 18 mm Hg in the right eye and 14 mm Hg in the left eye. To assess the posterior segment, a B scan ultrasonography was performed which revealed a thick convex mount towards the vitreous cavity giving an appearance of shallow choroidal detachment.
To differentiate choroidal detachment from other misleading conditions, we followed few steps. First, the typical picture of choroidal detachment was studied (figure 1A) and in the confounding case (figure 1B) when the probe was rotated obliquely, the convex-shaped mount lost its convexity (figure 1C) which is not observed in choroidal detachment. Second, to redefine the cause, the choroidal thickness along the attached portion was measured which was around 0.7 mm (figure 1D). Similarly, the thickness of the convex mount was found to be 1.7 mm (figure 1E), suggestive of thicker coat due to all three layers (retina, choroid and the sclera). Third, if the probe is placed along the horizontal transverse position, a circumferential hypoechoic space was noted behind the thick ocular coat, and now the convexity faces away from the vitreous cavity (figure 1F). These findings were suggestive of circumferential indenting structures, likely to be a scleral buckle.
By measuring the thickness of the choroid and the choroidal like mount due to convex appearing ocular coat along with a circumferential appreciation of hypoechoic space behind the thick ocular coat helps in differentiating the peripheral choroidal detachment from the pseudo-appearance of choroidal detachment due to a circumferential buckle.
Optimal diagnosis of the posterior segment pathologies is of paramount importance in cases of anterior segment media opacities because the posterior segment is the potential site which may harbour vision as well as life-threatening diseases. Choroidal detachment is a significant posterior segment pathology which needs a definite diagnosis before proceeding for any form of ocular interventions. B scan ultrasound is a useful tool to assess the far peripheral retinal pathologies along the lateral longitudinal view.1 The choroidal mount will have a double spike with convexity towards the vitreous with or without any suprachoroidal collections. The shallow choroidal detachment is seen in ocular hypotonic conditions like post-trabeculectomy surgery, post-traumatic globe injuries, postretinal detachment surgeries and corneal ulcerations accompanied by spontaneous perforation. In all such conditions, choroidal detachment may downgrade the visual prognosis, thus differentiation of choroidal detachment from other masquerades is vital.
Learning points
Differentiation of peripheral choroidal detachment from other forms of clinically as well as radiologically misleading conditions is vital.
While evaluating such cases measuring the thickness of convex mount and the choroidal thickness using B scan ultrasonography is useful in ascertaining the final diagnosis.
Reference
Footnotes
Contributors AP and RC have evaluated the case in detail followed by optimal diagnosis for further management. AP and RC after critically evaluating the educational value of the case wrote the report together.
Funding This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent Obtained.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.