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Study: High-density radial scanning necessary for effective diagnosis of macular holes
In a study to assess the detection of macular holes via optical coherence tomography scan patterns and densities, researchers found superior detection rates compared to standard raster volume scanning.
Schneider and colleagues analyzed 25 eyes from 24 patients with full-thickness macular holes.
Patients were imaged with a standard raster volume and a 24-line radial pattern, and a six-line radial scan pattern was calculated from the higher density radial pattern. Researchers compared the proportion of individual B-scans demonstrating a full-thickness defect and the missed hole rate, as well as quantitative and qualitative hole parameters.
Results showed that 24-line radial scanning identified all macular holes, while the standard raster volume missed 20%, and the six-line radial scanning missed 12%. The researchers determined that the holes missed were smaller and often related to pre-hole flaps.
"High density radial scanning demonstrated superior detection rates of small full-thickness macular holes compared to standard raster volume scanning," the authors concluded. "This finding may be attributable to the greater foveolar scan density attained with radial scan patterns. Failure to utilize radial scanning in the setting of suspected macular holes may lead to a delay in surgical treatment with attendant worse anatomic and visual outcomes."
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Am J Ophthalmol. 2014;doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2014.01.021.