Prepapillary vascular loop-a new classification

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Mansour A. M., Kozak I., Saatci A. O., Ascaso F. J., Broc L., Battaglia M., ...More

EYE, vol.35, no.2, pp.425-432, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 35 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1038/s41433-020-0859-3
  • Journal Name: EYE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, Design & Applied Arts Index, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.425-432
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background/Objectives To analyze the ophthalmic characteristics of congenital prepapillary vascular loop (PVL) and to propose a new morphologic classification dividing the loops into six types. Subjects/Methods Collaborative multinational multicentre retrospective study of PVL cases. Results There was a total of 49 cases (61 eyes), 37 unilateral (75.5%) and 12 bilateral (24.5%), 32 arterial type (65.3%) and 18 venous type (36.7%) (one patient had either kind in each eye). The mean number of loops per eye was 2.7 (range, 1-7). The loops were asymptomatic in 42 cases (85.7%). Other findings included: the presence of cilioretinal artery (14 cases), retinal vascular tortuosity (26 cases), amaurosis fugax (1 case), branch retinal artery occlusion (1 case) and vitreous haemorrhage (3 cases). Six morphologic loop types could be discerned based on elevation (flat vs. elevated), shape (figure of 8 or corkscrew with hyaline sheath), number (multiple or single), location (central or peripheral), lumen size (arterial vs. arteriolar) and presence of vascular tortuosity or vitreous traction. Conclusions PVL are usually asymptomatic and can be divided into six morphologic types with different pathogenesis during early embryogenesis.