Anterior segment swept-source optical coherence tomography imaging of patients with episcleritis and non-necrotizing anterior scleritis
Purpose
to evaluate swept source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (SS-ASOCT) findings in episcleral and/or scleral inflammation.
Methods
retrospective study of patients affected by episcleritis and non-necrotizing anterior scleritis, evaluated at the Immunology Ocular Unit AUSL-IRCCS in Reggio Emilia (Italy) from January 2019 to December 2022.
All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic examination including SS-ASOCT scan on day 0 and at last follow-up. SS-ASOCT scans were acquired using the ANTERION (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany). Images were evaluated for changes in thickness, in blood vessels and in reflectivity. SS-ASOCT scan of the contralateral healthy eye was done in the opposite quadrant. Follow-up imaging was compared to baseline images to assess changes on SS-ASOCT after treatment.
Results
The study included 72 eyes of 62 patients (43 females, 29 males), with a mean age of 46 years (range 23-80 years). Fifteen patients had episcleritis (6 nodular and 9 diffuse), while 57 patients resulted affected by non-necrotizing anterior scleritis (21 nodular and 36 diffuse). Nodular episcleritis showed localized episcleral thickening and vasodilatation, while in diffuse episcleritis the episcleral thickening and vasodilatation were diffuse. Episcleral thickness was increased in both episcleritis and anterior scleritis compared to the contralateral eye. Scleral thickness resulted increased in all anterior scleritis, especially showing a localized thickening in the nodular form. Suprachoroidal fluid accumulation was present in all anterior scleritis. Thickness of the ocular wall decreased from baseline to the last follow-up in all patients.
Conclusion
Clinical differentiation between scleritis and episcleritis can sometimes be difficult. SS-ASOCT could be helpful in the differential diagnosis and for monitoring treatment during follow-up.
Conflict of interest
No
Authors 1
Last name
BOLLETTA
Initials of first name(s)
E
City
Reggio Emilia
Country
Italy
Authors 2
Last name
DE SIMONE
Initials of first name(s)
L
City
Reggio Emilia
Country
Italy
Authors 3
Last name
GOZZI
Initials of first name(s)
F
City
Reggio Emilia
Country
Italy
Authors 4
Last name
GENTILE
Initials of first name(s)
P
City
Reggio Emilia
Country
Italy
Authors 5
Last name
CIMINO
Initials of first name(s)
L
City
Modena
Country
Italy
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