Are Peripapillary Hyperreflective Ovoid Mass-like Structures with an Elevated Optic Disc Still a Diagnosis Dilemma?

Purpose: To identify clinical characteristics that would help make or rule out the diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) in patients referred for papilledema (PE) with peripapillary hyperreflective ovoid mass-like structures (PHOMS).

Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Participants: All patients referred for PE excluding PE with Frisén grade ≥ 3, optic neuritis, ischemic optic neuropathy, and compressive optic neuropathy. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 = isolated PHOMS; group 2 = PHOMS associated with IIH.

Methods: We analyzed the location of PHOMS based on OCT-enhanced depth imaging (EDI) and calculated their volume.

Main outcome measures: Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL), ganglion cell complex, and volume of PHOMS.

Results: A total of 154 patients (308 eyes) were included. Patients' mean age was 29 years, with a female predominance (78%). Peripapillary hyperreflective ovoid mass-like structures were associated with these etiologies: IIH (38.3%), isolated (35.7%), posterior uveitis (11%), optic disc drusen (ODD) (10%), and tilted optic disc (5%). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in 83.1% of cases. More than half of the MRI scans were interpreted as consistent with IIH. However, only 39.7% of these patients had confirmed IIH with 44.5% sensitivity and 55.5% specificity. Peripapillary hyperreflective ovoid mass-like structures were overrepresented in the nasal region (95.5%).The location of PHOMS in the superior or inferior quadrant was significantly associated with IIH or ODD, whereas their presence in the temporal or nasal sector was strongly associated with isolated lesions. The mean and median volume of PHOMS were 1.66 μm³ and 1.50 μm³, respectively. There was a significant difference in PHOMS volume, with a higher volume in patients with IIH (P = 0.0037). Follow-up of these patients at 3 and 6 months demonstrated no significant changes in visual function, as per visual field mean deviation, visual acuity measurements, and ganglion cell layer. Mean pRNFL showed a decrease of -4.225 μm at 3 months and -6.489 μm at 6 months when compared with the initial measurement independent of the etiology.

Conclusions: Isolated PHOMS should be considered as a distinct entity. In asymptomatic patients, PHOMS should be carefully studied. Nasal or temporal location, small volume, and stable aspect over the course of weeks or months are suggestive of this entity. This strategy would considerably reduce the impact on patients' anxiety and morbidity.

Financial disclosure(s): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.