Comparison of Two Transducers for Color Doppler Imaging of the Retrobulbar Vessels

Purpose.To assess the state of blood flow in retrobulbar vessels using the method of color Doppler imaging in thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) associated with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), malignant hypertension (MH) and catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS).Methods. The study involved 16 patients aged from 18 to 43 years with TMA associated with aHUS (13 patients), MH (2 patients) and CAPS (1 patient). All patients underwent a study of the state of blood flow in the vessels of the retrobulbar space by color Doppler imaging using a multifunctional ultrasonic diagnostic device Voluson 730 Pro and Voluson E8. The spectrum of blood flow in the ophthalmic artery (OA), central retinal artery (CRA), central retinal vein (CRV), in the medial and lateral short posterior ciliary arteries (SPCA) was recorded and the following parameters were determined: maximum systolic velocity (Vsyst), final diastolic velocity (Vdiast), peripheral resistance index (RI), pulsation index (PI).Results. The analysis of the Doppler blood flow spectrum in all patients with TMA syndrome revealed a decrease in Vsyst in the vessels of the retrobulbar space, more pronounced in the CRA, with an increase in the venous component of the Doppler spectrum. In patients with TMA associated with aHUS and MH Vdiast in the studied vessels were in normal limits or increased, RI and PI were reduced. In aHUS a statistically significant correlation was found between Vdiast in OA and the level of haptoglobin in blood serum, which is a classic marker of intravascular hemolysis.Conclusion. Color Doppler imaging of retrobulbar vessels is an important method for the diagnosis of ocular hemodynamics disorders in the syndrome of TMA. All patients with TMA syndrome are characterized with a decrease in the systolic component of the Doppler spectrum of blood flow in the vessels of the retrobulbar space, especially in the CRA, with an increase in the venous component. With aHUS and MH diastolic blood flow in the retrobulbar vessels corresponds to the norm or increases, RI and PI decrease. In TMA associated with aHUS, the final diastolic velocity of blood flow in OA depends on the level of microvascular hemolysis.

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Color Doppler imaging features in patients presenting central retinal artery occlusion with and without giant cell arteritis

Vojnosanitetski pregled ◽

10.2298/vsp140814087c ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 73 (4) ◽

pp. 397-401

Author(s):

Jianu Catalin ◽

Silviana Jianu ◽

Mihnea Munteanu ◽

Daliborca Vlad ◽

Cosmin Rosca ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Color Doppler ◽

Central Retinal Artery Occlusion ◽

Color Doppler Imaging ◽

Retinal Artery Occlusion ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Central Retinal Artery ◽

Doppler Imaging ◽

Retinal Artery ◽

The Right ◽

Retrobulbar Vessels

Introduction. Central retinal artery obstruction (CRAO) represents an abrupt diminution of blood flow through the CRA that is severe enough to cause ischemia of the inner retina with permanent unilateral visual loss. We presented the role of color Doppler imaging (CDI) of orbital vessels and of extracranial duplex sonography (EDS) in the etiological diagnosis of CRAO in two patients with clinical suspicion of unilateral CRAO. Case report. Patients were examined following the protocol which included CDI of orbital vessels and EDS. Both patients had no emboli visible on ophthalmoscopy. The B-scan ultrasound evaluation of the first patient found a small round, moderately reflective echo within the right optic nerve, 1.5 mm behind the optic disc (emboli of cholesterol). CDI of retrobulbar vessels revealed the normal right ophthalmic artery (OA) hemodynamic parameters, but the first patient had no arterial flow signal on CDI at the distance of 1.5 mm behind the right optic disc. In contrast, the left eye had the normal aspect on CDI of retrobulbar vessels. The right internal carotid artery EDS identified a severe stenosis at its origin as CRA?s emboli source. The second patient had characteristic CDI findings for giant cell arteritis (GCA) with eye involvement: severe diminished blood flow velocities, especially end-diastolic velocities, in both CRAs. Less abnormalities were observed in the posterior ciliary arteries, and in the ophthalmic arteries. The second patient had no systemic symptoms or signs of GCA. Conclusion. In the presented cases, the ultrasound investigation enabled prompt differentiation between central retinal artery occlusion of embolic mechanism and CRAO caused by GCA.

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