Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging of Presumed Sarcoid Retinal and Optic Nerve Nodules

Abstract

Purpose: To characterize nodular lesions of the retina and optic nerve with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in patients with sarcoidosis.

Methods: This is a retrospective series of 6 eyes from 5 patients with an established diagnosis of sarcoidosis, with clinically detected nodules of the optic nerve or retina. All lesions were imaged with fundus photography and SD-OCT on presentation, and followed with serial imaging after treatment with corticosteroids and/or immunomodulatory therapy.

Results: Spectral OCT through the lesions revealed nodular hyperreflective processes obscuring the retinal layers or optic cup, with local structural changes, including subretinal and intraretinal fluid. After treatment with corticosteroids and/or immunosuppression in 4 followed patients, all lesions regressed with improvement in associated structural changes, but did not entirely disappear.

Conclusions: Spectral OCT can be useful in identifying lesion morphology and location, and in tracking the response to treatment in eyes with posterior-segment nodules, presumably secondary to sarcoidosis.

Keywords: Granuloma; OCT; nodule; optic nerve; retina; sarcoidosis.