INDOCYANINE GREEN AND FLUORESCEIN ANGIOGRAPHY OF SURGICALLY EXCISED MACULAR CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATIONS - CORRELATIONS WITH HISTOPATHOLOGIC AND ULTRASTRUCTURAL FINDINGS

Background: Informations are expected from the histopathological study of surgically excised choroidal neovascular membranes (CNMs), particu larly in relation to the angiographic aspects of vascular architecture . Methods: Fluorescein and indocyanine green (ICG) angiograms were stu died together with the histopathological features of 12 surgically exc ised subfoveal CNMs in eyes affected by age-related macular degenerati on (ARMD). Results: Instead of the early and delayed diffuse hyperfluo rescence secondary to CNMs observed on fluorescein angiography (seven were well defined, five scar evolved), ICG revealed (a) very early hyp ofluorescence of the mem-brane bulk over the fluorescence of the outer choroidal vascular bed and (b) late hyperfluorescence gradually incre asing and partially defining the border of membranes. CNMs with well-d efined hyperfluorescent aspects were characterized by fibrovascular bu lk lined on one side by retinal pigment epithelium. Fibrosis reaction predominated over the vascular components in scarevolved membranes Con clusions: Fluorescein and ICG angiographic differences in the appearan ce of CNMs could depend on (a) the morphological structure and size of the CNM (b) its location within the chorioretinal layers and (c) diff erent molecular characteristics of the dyes used.