Hollenhorst plaque
Encyclopedia
A Hollenhorst plaque AKA "Eickenhorst plaque" is a cholesterol embolus that is seen in a blood vessel
of the retina
.
performs ophthalmoscopy
, during which a plaque will appear bright, refractile, and yellow. It is caused by an embolus lodged within the retinal vessel that originated from an atheromatous plaque in a more proximal (upstream) vessel, usually the internal carotid artery
. It is often an indication of a previous ischemic episode in the eye and is a sign of severe atherosclerosis
. The most important step in management is to identify and treat the originating plaque to prevent further embolization.
ophthalmologist
Dr. Robert Hollenhorst
(1913–2008) who first described their significance in 1961.
Blood vessel
The blood vessels are the part of the circulatory system that transports blood throughout the body. There are three major types of blood vessels: the arteries, which carry the blood away from the heart; the capillaries, which enable the actual exchange of water and chemicals between the blood and...
of the retina
Retina
The vertebrate retina is a light-sensitive tissue lining the inner surface of the eye. The optics of the eye create an image of the visual world on the retina, which serves much the same function as the film in a camera. Light striking the retina initiates a cascade of chemical and electrical...
.
Clinical significance
It is usually seen when a physicianPhysician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
performs ophthalmoscopy
Ophthalmoscopy
Ophthalmoscopy is a test that allows a health professional to see inside the fundus of the eye and other structures using an ophthalmoscope . It is done as part of an eye examination and may be done as part of a routine physical examination...
, during which a plaque will appear bright, refractile, and yellow. It is caused by an embolus lodged within the retinal vessel that originated from an atheromatous plaque in a more proximal (upstream) vessel, usually the internal carotid artery
Internal carotid artery
In human anatomy, the internal carotid arteries are two major arteries, one on each side of the head and neck. They arise from the common carotid arteries where these bifurcate into the internal and external carotid artery, and they supply the brain....
. It is often an indication of a previous ischemic episode in the eye and is a sign of severe atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a condition in which an artery wall thickens as a result of the accumulation of fatty materials such as cholesterol...
. The most important step in management is to identify and treat the originating plaque to prevent further embolization.
Eponym
The phenomenon is named after the AmericanUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
ophthalmologist
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems...
Dr. Robert Hollenhorst
Robert Hollenhorst
Dr. Robert W. Hollenhorst was an American ophthalmologist remembered for describing Hollenhorst plaques.- Biography :...
(1913–2008) who first described their significance in 1961.