Immunohistochemical findings of a Bruch's membrane defect and active choroidal neovascularization in angioid streaks.

摘要

Patients with connective tissue disease caused by systemic degeneration of elastic fibers may show angioid streaks that are observed bilaterally as irregular dark lines radiating from the optic disc to the periphery. Histopathological studies of angioid streaks have been conducted in autopsied eyes, but immunohistochemistry of active choroidal neo-vascularization (CNV) has not been reported. Between 1996 and 2004, 51 eyes (47 patients) with angioid streaks were diagnosed at our department as having active CNV. Because anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy was not available at the time, the CNVs were surgically excised after informed consent was obtained from the patients. On histopathological examination of the excised tissues, we observed in one eye a defect in Bruch's membrane as well as CNV.