Trapped Pre-Macular Bubble of Octafluoropropane Gas Masquerading as Retained Submacular Perfluorocarbon Liquid

Introduction: To demonstrate, with the aid of retinal imaging, an abnormal post-operative macular appearance caused by the presence of a “fragmented” pre-retinal bubble of octafluoropropane (C3F8) masquerading as retained subretinal perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL). Methods: This is an interventional c...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Petros Petrou, Despoina-Georgia Kokosiouli, Trushar Patel, Philip J. Banerjee, Ilias Georgalas, Dimitrios Papakonstantinou, Dimitrios Brouzas, Lyndon DaCruz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Karger Publishers 2019-06-01
Series:Case Reports in Ophthalmology
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Online Access:https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/499855
Description
Summary:Introduction: To demonstrate, with the aid of retinal imaging, an abnormal post-operative macular appearance caused by the presence of a “fragmented” pre-retinal bubble of octafluoropropane (C3F8) masquerading as retained subretinal perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL). Methods: This is an interventional case presentation. Results: Colour fundus photography high-resolution spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and clinical progress demonstrate that the abnormal reflex was caused by the presence of a small fragment of C3F8 becoming lodged at the pre-foveal area. Conclusion: Submacular entrapment of various substances used during vitrectomy has been described in a number of case reports and case series. To our knowledge, this is the first described case of a retained fragment of fluorocarbon gas trapped at the macula following successful retinal detachment repair and highlights a previously unreported cause of an abnormal foveal appearance. However, clinical examination together with the use of SD-OCT is helpful in differentiating the appearance from that seen in other retained vitrectomy adjuncts.
ISSN:1663-2699