Indocyanine green angiographic findings for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus nephropathy

Purpose: To study indocyanine green (ICG) angiographic findings for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) nephropathy. In particular, the presence of choroidal abnormalities at ICG angiography, which could not be detected by fluorescein angiography, was studied. Design: Observational case report study. Methods: Nine consecutive female patients (mean age +/- SD, 38.2 +/- 9.7 years) with SLE-related nephropathy underwent simultaneous ICG angiography and fluorescein angiography according to a standard angiographic protocol for uveitis. Results: Two findings were revealed by ICG angiography: focal, transient hypofluorescent areas in the early phase; and spots of choroidal hyperfluorescence visible from the intermediate to late phase. Conclusions: ICG angiography can provide information that is not detectable by clinical or fluorescein angiographic examination for patients with lupus nephropathy. This information may prove useful in better understanding the pathogenesis of SLE choroidopathy.