Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate B-scan ultrasonography and optical coherence tomography in the pre- and post-operative morphologic evaluation of idiopathic epiretinal macular membranes.
Methods: Fifteen eyes were examined using B-scan ultrasonography and optical coherence tomography before and after surgical excision of the epiretinal macular membranes.
Results: Ultrasonography prior to surgery allowed an excellent evaluation of both the peripheral and the posterior vitreous and showed the membrane. The thickening of the retina and the retinal folds were equally visualised by either method. An improved observation of the macular oedema was obtained by the optical coherence tomography as well as the type of membrane adhesion. After surgery, both methods were able to detect membrane remnants. A better visualisation of retinal thickness and cystoid macular oedema was obtained by optical coherence tomography rather than ultrasonography. Serous sub-foveal retinal detachment was only revealed by optical coherence tomography.
Discussion: Ultrasonography is indispensable in case of media opacity or of optical inaccessibility of the posterior pole. Moreover, it allows an excellent global analysis of the anterior and posterior vitreous, which is very useful for the surgeon. The membrane is always showed by ultrasonography, but not always by optical coherence tomography in case of diffuse adherence. Both methods can detect the membrane and a cystoid macular edema. However, retinal analysis with the optical coherence tomography is more precise. It can even detect cysts of the macular oedema or serous sub-foveal retinal detachment.
Conclusion: B-scan ultrasonography and optical coherence tomography give complementary information in pre- and post-operative examination of epiretinal macular membranes.