Ellipsoid layer restoration after Ozurdex® treatment in a patient with acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy

Eur J Ophthalmol. 2021 Mar;31(2):NP49-NP53. doi: 10.1177/1120672119883598. Epub 2019 Oct 23.

Abstract

An atypical case of acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy with a clear reappearance of the ellipsoid layer of the retina after Ozurdex® intravitreal implantation is presented. A 51-year-old woman reported a 3-week history of left eye photopsia. On slit-lamp examination, yellowish placoid lesions were found on her left eye fundus. Ancillary tests were performed. The patient was diagnosed as a left eye acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy, and observational approach was decided. Later, the condition started to progress in an ampiginous manner and a decrease of visual acuity caused by an increase in number and size of the lesions was observed. As the disease was progressing with the conservative, observational approach, and the macula was menaced, an intravitreal dexamethasone implant was injected in the left eye with a consequent improvement of the visual acuity and lesion stabilization. The ellipsoid layer, unidentifiable inside the placoid lesions in previous optical coherence tomography tests, reappeared after the treatment. Intravitreal dexamethasone implants can be used to stabilize acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy lesions and help resolve the condition. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography can also be useful for monitoring these lesions, as the ellipsoid layer may reappear upon resolution.

Keywords: Posterior uveitis; choroidal/retinal inflammation; dexamethasone; immunology; ophthalmology; retina; uvea; uveitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dexamethasone / administration & dosage*
  • Drug Implants
  • Female
  • Fluorescein Angiography / methods
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Intravitreal Injections
  • Middle Aged
  • Retina / diagnostic imaging
  • Retina / drug effects*
  • Retina / pathology
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence / methods
  • Visual Acuity / physiology
  • White Dot Syndromes / diagnostic imaging
  • White Dot Syndromes / drug therapy*
  • White Dot Syndromes / physiopathology

Substances

  • Drug Implants
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Dexamethasone