High-resolution ultrasonography in central serous chorioretinopathy

PURPOSE: To investigate the use of high-resolution ultrasonography for detecting choroidal layer abnormalities in eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). DESIGN: Prospective observational case series. METHOD: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and high-resolution ultrasonography with a 20-MHz immersion probe were performed bilaterally in 10 patients, of whom 5 were affected by unilateral active CSC and 5 by unilateral cystoid macular edema (CME). Ten age-matched control subjects were also investigated. RESULTS: Both OCT and high-resolution ultrasonography showed a macular elevation in eyes with CSC and CME. High-resolution ultrasonography has shown evidence of a nonechogenic linear band under the retinal pigment epithelium in patients affected by CSC. This could be found in neither patients with CME or in control subjects. CONCLUSION: High-resolution ultrasonography can detect a nonechogenic space consistent with hyperpermeability of choroidal capillaries in eyes with active CSC. Shadowing by an altered retinal pigment epithelium cannot be ruled out, however.