Abstract

SA.21.07

A new integration method for the correlation of two-dimensional macular diagnostics

Andrea Hassenstein, Mario Matthaei, Frank Scholz, Gisbert Richard
Universitäts-Augenklinik Hamburg-Eppendorf

Objective
The purpose was to precisely anatomically correlate topographic macular diagnostics (such as auto-fluorescence and angiography) and possibly gain new insights from this process.
Methods
The particular imaging-diagnostics record is selected from a database (infrared, fundus image, autofluorescence and angiography). Various findings can be correlated to each other. A square reference area is positioned with reference markers in both topographies. Following the integration by way of a new software development, the first image (i.e., auto-fluorescence) can be over-laid into the angiography to an extent from "semi-transparent" to "complete". This new technique was applied to macular diseases and tested accordingly.
Results
The integration method is not dependent on a certain type of device used in the procedures performed. As long as the image quality of the individual images was sufficient, all patients with macular disorders (n=36 eyes).could be integrated. Pathologies in both images can be compared directly and precisely. For geographic atrophy, the atrophy spread in auto-fluorescence (AF) and angiography correlated exactly (n=18 eyes). For 4 eyes, the AF also indicated a bright halo without angiographic correlation. Patients with diseases of the sensory retina did not show lesions in AF or angiography. In patients suffering from AMD differences between AF and angiography could be detected. Using the new integration technique pathological findings can be correlated directly (Fundus image, AF and aniography).
Conclusions
Definite pathologies indicate (in the tested diagnostic procedures such as infrared, auto-fluorescence and angiography) a good and anatomically precise match. With the new integration, it is possible to not only successfully correlate FLA and OCT, but to also precisely integrate various two-dimensional macular diagnostics.

Copyright: 2009 Porstmann Kongresse GmbH. All rights reserved. Impressum, Disclaimer.