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Abstract #50562 Published in IGR 14-2
Diffusion tensor MRI reveals visual pathway damage that correlates with clinical severity in glaucoma
Chen Z; Lin F; Wang J; Li Z; Dai H; Mu K; Ge J; Zhang HClinical and Experimental Ophthalmology 2013; 41: 43-49
BACKGROUND: To investigate nerve fiber damage of the visual pathway in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) using tract-based spatial statistical (TBSS) analysis of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and correlate these measures with the clinical severity of glaucoma. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five individuals with POAG and 24 healthy controls were recruited. METHODS: All subjects underwent detailed ophthalmological examinations, including the cup-to-disc ratio (CDR), retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) and visual fields test. DTI of the visual pathway was performed using a 3.0-T MR scanner. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Diffusivity changes of the nerve fibers in the visual pathway were calculated through TBSS analysis. The mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were assessed, and compared with ophthalmological measurements. RESULTS: Compared with controls, bilateral optic tracts and optic radiations .2 VHani Kücel Yopen-angle area in POAG patients showed significantly decreased FA and increased MD (p< .05). In the glaucoma group, the FA of the optic tracts and optic radiations varied consistently with the CDR, RNFLT, and visual function analysis, respectively (p< .05). The MD of the optic tracts correlated with these ophthalmological measurements (p< .05). However, no significant correlation was observed between the MD of the optic radiations and the ophthalmological measurements (p> .05). CONCLUSIONS: The optic tracts and optic radiations of POAG patients demonstrated radiological evidence of neurodegeneration. This varied with damage to the optic disc and with the loss of visual function. TBSS analysis of DTI is an objective and effective tool for detecting the loss of cortical nerve fibers in POAG. © 2012 The Authors. Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology © 2012 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.
Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. Wuhan Center for Magnetic Resonance, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academic of Sciences, Wuhan, China. Radiology Department, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Full articleClassification:
6.30 Other (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods)
2.16 Chiasma and retrochiasmal central nervous system (Part of: 2 Anatomical structures in glaucoma)
