Focal choroidal excavation and pitchfork sign in choroidal neovascularisation associated with choroidal osteoma

Eur J Ophthalmol. 2021 Mar;31(2):NP67-NP70. doi: 10.1177/1120672119892802. Epub 2019 Dec 9.

Abstract

Purpose: To describe a complex case of choroidal osteoma complicated by choroidal neovascularisation and focal choroidal excavation and presence of pitchfork sign.

Methods: A young female patient with confirmed diagnosis of choroidal osteoma was followed up for 5 years. Multimodal imaging including optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography (Spectralis HRA + OCT; Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) was performed.

Results: Optical coherence tomography showed the presence of a unilateral choroidal osteoma in the first visit which was later followed by the appearance of focal choroidal excavation. After 3 years, choroidal neovascularisation developed in choroidal osteoma area, with subretinal fluid, subretinal hyper-reflective material, hyper-reflective foci and pitchfork sign. Decalcification of the tumour was not noted in this patient. Treatment with one intravitreal injection of Aflibercept resulted in complete disappearance of subretinal fluid, subretinal hyper-reflective material, pitchfork sign and decreased hyper-reflective foci.

Conclusion: Inflammatory response can be a propulsive element in the development of focal choroidal excavation and choroidal neovascularisation in choroidal osteoma patients.

Keywords: Choroidal osteoma; focal choroidal excavation; pitchfork sign.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Bone Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Bone Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Choroid / pathology*
  • Choroid Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Choroid Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Choroidal Neovascularization / diagnosis*
  • Choroidal Neovascularization / drug therapy
  • Coloring Agents / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Humans
  • Indocyanine Green / administration & dosage
  • Intravitreal Injections
  • Multimodal Imaging
  • Osteoma / drug therapy
  • Osteoma / pathology*
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / therapeutic use
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Subretinal Fluid
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Visual Acuity / physiology

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Coloring Agents
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • aflibercept
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
  • Indocyanine Green