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Abstract #50201 Published in IGR 14-2
Anterior visual pathway assessment by magnetic resonance imaging in normal-pressure glaucoma
Zhang YQ; Li J; Xu L; Zhang L; Wang ZC; Yang H; Chen CX; Wu XS; Jonas JBActa Ophthalmologica 2012; 90: e295-e302
See also comment(s) by Hanspeter Killer •
PURPOSE: To analyze the axonal architecture of the optic nerve in patients with normal-pressure glaucoma and determine whether these parameters correlate with the disease severity. METHODS: Using magnetic resonance (MRI) imaging (1.5-Tesla unit) and diffusion tensor (DT) MRI, we measured the optic nerve diameter, optic chiasm height and lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) volume in patients with normal-pressure glaucoma and an age-matched control group. The retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (RNFL) was determined by optical coherence tomography (OCT). RESULTS: The study included 30 patients with normal-pressure glaucoma and 30 age-matched control subjects. Optic nerve diameter (p < 0.001), optic chiasm height (p < 0.001) and LGN volume (p = 0.02) were significantly smaller in the glaucoma group than in the control group and were significantly correlated with RNFL thickness and perimetric loss. In the control group, the parameters significantly (p < 0.05) decreased with age. The DT-MRI-derived fractional anisotropy for the optic nerve was significantly lower (p < 0.001), and the DT-MRI-derived mean diffusivity (p < 0.001), radial diffusivity (λ(⊥) ; p < 0.001) and axial diffusivity (λ(||) ; p = 0.009) for the optic nerve were significantly higher in the glaucoma group and significantly correlated with RNFL thickness and mean perimetric defect. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with normal-pressure glaucoma show an age-adjusted reduced optic nerve diameter, optic chiasm height and LGN volume as measured by MRI, correlating with a reduced RNFL thickness and increased perimetric loss. MRI may be applied to examine the optic nerve in patients with glaucoma with opaque optic media.
Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Full articleClassification:
9.2.4 Normal pressure glaucoma (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.2 Primary open angle glaucomas)
6.9.5 Other (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods > 6.9 Computerized image analysis)
