Choroidal Melanocytic Hamartoma

We report on a case series that revealed flat, choroidal lesions on optical coherence tomography (OCT) and on enface MultiColor (R) (MCI) imaging of the fundus but were not noticeable on clinical examination or conventional color fundus images. This observational study included 12 eyes from 11 patients who had distinct, orange-colored lesions on MCI. Retinal imaging was conducted using conventional color fundus photography and OCT. On the color fundus images and the blue and green reflectance channels of MCI, each of the lesions was difficult to distinguish. On the infrared channel, the lesion was identified as bright white in color and bright orange on the multicolor image. The lesion was identified on OCT as a flat, homogeneous hyperreflective lesion involving the choroid, with an intact overlying retinal pigment epithelium and retinal layers. A comparison of the clinical and imaging features with other known entities led to the conclusion that the lesion was a distinct clinical entity. The presence of melanin in the lesion was confirmed based on the retinal imaging findings and the light absorption properties of melanin. As a result, the lesion was named as 'choroidal melanocytic hamartoma'. A longer follow-up is required to confirm the benign nature of this clinical entity.

Automated summary

This study reported on a type of choroidal lesion that was not noticeable on clinical examination or conventional color fundus images, but could be detected using multi-color imaging and optical coherence tomography (OCT). After comparing the features with other known entities, it was concluded that this lesion is a distinct clinical entity, which is named as 'choroidal melanocytic hamartoma'. Longer follow-up is needed to confirm its benign nature.