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retinal arteriovenous nicking; AV nicking
Etiology:
- hypertensive retinopathy (most common)
Pathology:
- the arteriole & venule share a common sheath
- the arteriole's thicker walls push against those of the venule forcing the venule to collapse
- this cause the venule form an hourglass shape around the arteriole
- sclerotic thickening or glial cell proliferation at the site where the two vessels cross may also play a role
Clinical manifestations:
- an arteriole is seen crossing a venule resulting in compression of the venule with bulging on either side of the crossing
Special laboratory:
- funduscopy
Management:
- blood pressure control (see chronic hypertension)
General
retinal disease
vascular disease (vasculopathy)
References
- Wikipedia: AV nicking
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AV_nicking
- American Academy of Ophthalmology
Arteriovenous Nicking
http://www.aao.org/theeyeshaveit/optic-fundus/arteriovenous-nicking.cfm
- Oh KT and Roy H
eMedicine: Ophthalmologic Manifestations of Hypertension
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1201779-overview