An Update on Multimodal Ophthalmological Imaging of Diffuse Choroidal Hemangioma in Sturge-Weber Syndrome

Vision (Basel). 2023 Oct 6;7(4):64. doi: 10.3390/vision7040064.

Abstract

Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is characterized by facial port-wine stains, leptomeningeal hemangiomas, and prominent ocular manifestations such as glaucoma and diffuse choroidal hemangiomas (DCHs). Imaging modalities are critical for diagnosing and longitudinally monitoring DCHs in SWS. Fundus photography is fundamental in assessing both eyes simultaneously, fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography effectively map the retinal and choroidal circulation, and ultrasonography offers essential structural insights into the choroid and retina. NIR imaging reveals subtle retinal pigment changes, often overlooked in standard fundus examination. Enhanced depth imaging spectral domain optical coherence tomography (EDI-SDOCT) and swept-source OCT (SSOCT) improve the visualization of the choroidal-scleral boundary, essential for DCH characterization. The potential of OCT angiography (OCTA) is under exploration, particularly its role in predicting signs of disease progression or worsening, as well as potential new biomarkers such as the choroidal vascularity index (CVI). The present review aims to provide an update on multimodal imaging of DCHs in SWS.

Keywords: Sturge–Weber syndrome; diffuse choroidal hemangioma; enhanced depth imaging; fundus; multimodal imaging; near-infrared reflectance (NIR); spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.