Combined pigment epithelial and retinal hamartoma: long-term follow-up of three cases

Abstract BACKGROUND: Combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium (CHR-RPE) is a rare lesion at the level of the RPE. METHODS: We report 3 cases of CHR-RPE in otherwise healthy patients and discuss their clinical and instrumental characteristics at diagnosis and during follow-up. RESULTS: The clinical characteristics are usually diagnostic; however, echography, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography are useful tools for appropriate diagnostic evaluation and accurate follow-up. INTERPRETATION: Standardized echography is important in CHR-RPE's diagnosis because it permits exclusion of malignant lesions, preventing unnecessary enucleation, and is fundamental in follow-up.

Background: Combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium (CHR-RPE) is a rare lesion at the level of the RPE. Methods: We report 3 cases of CHR-RPE in otherwise healthy patients and discuss their clinical and instrumental characteristics at diagnosis and during follow-up. Results: The clinical characteristics are usually diagnostic; however, echography, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography are useful tools for appropriate diagnostic evaluation and accurate follow-up. Interpretation: Standardized echography is important in CHR-RPE's diagnosis because it permits exclusion of malignant lesions, preventing unnecessary enucleation, and is fundamental in follow-up.