Clinicopathologic Correlation of a Subretinal Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy Band in a Patient with Chronic Recurrent Retinal Detachment

Abstract

Purpose: Proliferative vitreoretinopathy is a well-known cause of failure of retinal detachment surgery. The purpose of this case report is to illustrate the clinical occurrence and histopathology of a horizontal subretinal band (“clothesline” configuration) creating recurrent and persistent retinal detachment. Observations: A 67-year-old Hispanic female with diabetes type 2 and a history of retinal detachment surgery in the left eye (OS) presented with decreased vision OS. Best corrected visual acuity at this recent presentation was 20/80 OS. Clinical examination disclosed a recurrent inferior retinal detachment and a subretinal “clothesline” fibrotic band. Surgical removal of the subretinal band was performed. Histopathological evaluation of longitudinal and transverse sections of the band revealed a cable-like configuration composed predominantly of glial differentiation, RPE differentiation, and collagen, based on morphology and immunohistochemical staining. There was focal smooth muscle and neuroendocrine cell differentiation, as detected with smooth muscle actin (SMA) and S100 staining, respectively. Cross-sections demonstrated pigmented fibrocellular tissue with foci of cells staining positive for S100 and keratin peripherally around the tissue, suggestive of RPE differentiation. Scattered foci of SMA-positive cells suggested mild myoblastic differentiation. Conclusions and Importance: This case report presents further information on the structure and orientation of the cellular components of subretinal band proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Cells suggestive of Müller cell differentiation compose the central aspect of the band, alongside collagen fibers. RPE differentiation is variably present peripherally in the band, likely reflective of proliferating RPE encircling the subretinal fibrous tissue. A mild amount of myofibroblastic differentiation was present within the band of tissue, correlating with the clinical findings of subretinal tissue contraction and localized retinal detachment.