Diagnostic yield of vitrectomy in eyes with suspected posterior segment infection or malignancy

Prithvi Mruthyunjaya, J. Michael Jumper, Rex McCallum, Divya J. Patel, Terry A. Cox, Glenn J. Jaffe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

61 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the yield of diagnostic pars plana vitrectomy in eyes with suspected posterior segment inflammation or malignancy when clinical examination and systemic laboratory testing did not yield a specific diagnosis. Design: Noncomparative interventional case series Participants: Eighty-seven consecutive patients (90 eyes) who underwent diagnostic pars plana vitrectomy from 1989 through 1999. Interventions: Vitreous samples were analyzed in a directed manner based on the preoperative clinical examination and systemic laboratory testing. Main Outcome Measures: Diagnosis from each test performed on the vitreous samples. Results: Diagnostic vitrectomy was performed alone in 6 eyes (7%) and as part of a therapeutic procedure in the remaining 84 eyes. The diagnostic tests performed most frequently included cytopathology (83%), microbiologic culture and sensitivity (43%), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (36%), and intraocular antibody levels for T. canis (14%). Of these, intraocular antibody testing and PCR had the highest positive yield, 46% and 39%, respectively. Overall, directed vitreous analysis identified a specific cause in 35 eyes (39%). Of the 65 cases in which an underlying infection was suspected preoperatively, the procedure yielded a specific diagnosis in 27 (42%). When intraocular malignancy was considered preoperatively (71 eyes), a diagnosis of intraocular lymphoma was obtained in seven (10%). This difference between these diagnostic yields was significant (P = 0.02, Fisher's exact test). Conclusions: Diagnostic vitrectomy with directed vitreous fluid analysis yields a specific cause and guides subsequent therapy in a high percentage of cases. This procedure is a valuable adjunct in cases that cannot be diagnosed by less invasive methods.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1123-1129
Number of pages7
JournalOphthalmology
Volume109
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology

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