Shu Kachi1, Koji Hirano. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To demonstrate the importance of ultrasonographic biomicroscopy for following the clinical course of an intracorneal hematoma of unknown origin. METHODS: A 64-year-old woman was referred to the Nagoya University Hospital because of a decrease in vision in her left eye. Her visual acuity was 20/70 (uncorrectable) in the left eye and the slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination showed a dark red-colored intracorneal hematoma in the central area of the left eye at the pre-Descemet's membrane level. Because the hematoma was small without any epithelial involvement and ultrasonographic biomicroscopy (UBM) and slit-lamp biomicroscopy showed a low risk of a pupillary block, she was followed without surgical treatment. RESULTS: The hematoma turned yellow and grew smaller, and UBM images showed an internal liquified cyst 10 months after her initial visit. The cystic legion was detected as a low-echoic cavity by UBM 2 months before it was observed by slit-lamp biomicroscopy. The hematoma was almost resolved 2.5 years after the onset, and the visual acuity OS improved to 20/30. CONCLUSION: The intracorneal hematoma occurred without any obvious cause and should be classified as spontaneous. UBM combined with slit-lamp biomicroscopy was useful in estimating the extent of the hematoma and thus the risk of pupillary block. It was also helpful in deciding whether surgical treatment was necessary.
PURPOSE: To demonstrate the importance of ultrasonographic biomicroscopy for following the clinical course of an intracorneal hematoma of unknown origin. METHODS: A 64-year-old woman was referred to the Nagoya University Hospital because of a decrease in vision in her left eye. Her visual acuity was 20/70 (uncorrectable) in the left eye and the slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination showed a dark red-colored intracorneal hematoma in the central area of the left eye at the pre-Descemet's membrane level. Because the hematoma was small without any epithelial involvement and ultrasonographic biomicroscopy (UBM) and slit-lamp biomicroscopy showed a low risk of a pupillary block, she was followed without surgical treatment. RESULTS: The hematoma turned yellow and grew smaller, and UBM images showed an internal liquified cyst 10 months after her initial visit. The cystic legion was detected as a low-echoic cavity by UBM 2 months before it was observed by slit-lamp biomicroscopy. The hematoma was almost resolved 2.5 years after the onset, and the visual acuity OS improved to 20/30. CONCLUSION: The intracorneal hematoma occurred without any obvious cause and should be classified as spontaneous. UBM combined with slit-lamp biomicroscopy was useful in estimating the extent of the hematoma and thus the risk of pupillary block. It was also helpful in deciding whether surgical treatment was necessary.