Clinical and Multimodal Imaging Features of Choroidal Nevi in the Korean Population

Choroidal nevus is a precursor of choroidal melanoma. Multimodal imaging has become vital in predicting the malignant transformation of choroidal nevi. This single-center, retrospective study analyzed clinical characteristics and multimodal imaging findings of 168 choroidal nevi (164 patients) of the Korean population. The mean age at presentation was 50 +/- 15 (range, 13-85) (women, n = 88 [53.7%]). Choroidal nevi (melanotic, n = 164 [97.6%]; postequatorial, n = 160 [95.2%]) were densely located between the optic disc and foveola (65.5%). The mean maximum linear basal diameter on fundus photography and thickness on optical coherence tomography were 2.97 +/- 1.51 mm and 521 +/- 297 mu m, respectively. On ultrasonography, the mean thickness was 0.87 +/- 0.60 mm. Choroidal nevi in women were associated with a higher maximum linear basal diameter (3.23 +/- 1.65 vs. 2.68 +/- 1.21 mm; p = 0.033) and age at diagnosis (52 +/- 14 vs. 47 +/- 16 years; p = 0.046) than those in men. Choroidal nevi with associated subretinal fluid (23.2%) presented with larger basal diameter (p = 0.049) and thickness on B-scan and optical coherence tomography (p < 0.001), but a younger age at diagnosis (p < 0.001) than those of dry nevi. This multimodal imaging study of choroidal nevi revealed some distinct characteristics, including topographic distribution, sex-related differences, and a younger age at diagnosis of nevi with fluid.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the clinical characteristics and multimodal imaging findings of choroidal nevi in the Korean population. It revealed that choroidal nevi in women were often larger and those with associated subretinal fluid were diagnosed at a younger age.