Indocyanine green angiographic features of varix of the vortex vein ampulla

• Published in: Clinical & experimental ophthalmology Vol. 28; no. 4; pp. 321 - 323
• Main Authors: Kang, H K, Beaumont, Paul E, Chang, Andrew A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melbourne, Australia Blackwell Science Pty 01.08.2000
• Subjects: Adult; Choroid - blood supply; Fluorescein Angiography; Humans; Indocyanine Green; Male; Ophthalmoscopy; Photography; Varicose Veins - diagnosis; Veins - pathology
• ISSN: 1442-6404; 1442-9071
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1442-9071.2000.00326.x

ABSTRACT Varix of the vortext vein ampulla is a rare, benign, asymptomatic condition, which may be confused with a choroidal naevus or melanoma. A 28‐year‐old man was referred to a tertiary retinal practice with a diagnosis of choroidal naevus. The lesion was an elevated choroidal mass in the superonasal peripheral retina measuring 2 by 1 disc diameters. It was dark red to burgundy in colour and disappeared under digital pressure applied to the globe. The methods used in diagnosis were colour fundus photography, fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography using a scanning laser ophthalmoscope. On fluorescein angiography the lesion was initially hypofluorescent, becoming isofluorescent 25 s after dye injection. Indocyanine green angiography demonstrated the lesion to be two separate dilatations of the vortex vein ampullae. The dilatations collapsed when pressure was applied to the globe. A choroidal mass that collapses under pressure applied to the globe should suggest a varix of the vortex vein ampulla. Indocyanine green angiography is useful in demonstrating the outline of the varix of the vortex vein ampulla.