Sonographic Optic Nerve Diameter and Clinical Biomarkers in Patients With Poorly Controlled Diabetes: A Comparative Analysis With Nondiabetic Subjects

Objective: The study assessed optic nerve diameter (OND) and clinical biomarkers in patients with poorly controlled diabetes compared with healthy nondiabetic volunteers. Materials and Methods: There were 1320 adult participants recruited to the study. The cohort was divided into 600 Type 2 diabetic (DM II) patients and 720 apparently healthy, nondiabetic volunteers. The OND was measured using a high-resolution dedicated ultrasound device (Sonoace 5500; Medicol, Medison, Miami, FL, USA) with a 10-MHz linear array transducer. Subjects were examined in a supine position with their eyes closed. Three measurements of the OND were taken and the average recorded. Hemoglobin A1c concentration and lipid profiles were determined using Bio-Rad Diamat analyzer (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA). Body mass index and age were matched for both cohorts for comparativeness. Results: The mean OND of the DM II patients was 3.10 ± 0.14 mm (range of 2.6–4.0 mm), which was significantly ( P < .05) lower than the control volunteers (4.22 ± 0.15 mm). The OND demonstrated a negative significant correlation with HA1c, duration of diabetes and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level ( P < .05). Lipid profiles, blood urea, serum creatinine, and hemoglobin A1c showed statistical difference between diabetics and control subjects. Conclusion: Poorly controlled DM II patients may have significantly narrower OND than nondiabetic patients. This imaging biomarker has the potential to transform visual care for DM II patients.

Modern concepts of non-invasive methods for measuring intracranial pressure

The article presents the review of Russian and foreign literature, with the aim to summarize the results of the researches for the purpose of identification of the most perspective modern techniques of non‑invasive measurement of intracranial pressure. The methods of assessment of intracranial pressure based on morphological and functional features of intracranial organs are described: transcranial Doppler imaging, evaluation of tympanic membrane displacement, evaluation of blood pressure in retinal veins, evaluation of optic nerve diameter, CT imaging and magnetic resonance tomography. The attention is paid to merits and demerits of the presented methods, a possibility of their use in clinical practice.

Orbital MRI versus fundus photography in the diagnosis of optic nerve hypoplasia and prediction of vision

IntroductionIn patients with optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH), the visualisation of the optic disc can be challenging and the definitive diagnosis difficult to ascertain without fundus photography. The use of MRI for diagnosis has been reported as a diagnostic alternative with conflicting results. We retrospectively analysed a disease registry to determine the reliability of orbital MRI measurements of the optic nerve diameter to diagnose ONH, and the correlation with vision outcomes.Materials and methodsFrom a cohort of 140 patients with ONH (13% unilateral) that had reached age 5 years, we identified 43 subjects who had orbital MRI in addition to fundus photography performed prior to 2 years of age. We compared measurements of the optic nerve diameter from orbital MRI scans to the standard relative optic disc size (disc diameter/disc-macula (DD/DM) distance) by fundus photography. All patients had visual acuity tested at age 5 years. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to determine the correlation of orbital MRI measurements and fundus photography with the diagnosis of ONH, and with vision outcomes.ResultsRelative disc size (DD/DM)<0.35 showed 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity for the diagnostic confirmation of ONH. The optic nerve diameter measurements by orbital MRI displayed a moderate correlation (rs=0.471; p<0.001) with DD/DM and moderate sensitivity for the diagnosis of ONH. Final visual acuity correlated well with DD/DM measurements by fundus photography (rs=−0.869; p<0.001) and moderately with optic nerve diameter by orbital MRI (rs=−0.635; p<0.001).DiscussionOrbital optic nerve diameter from MRI scans has moderate reliability in diagnosing ONH and predicting vision outcomes. Fundus photography for measurements of the optic nerve size should remain the reference for diagnostic confirmation of ONH. These data further support the prognostic value of fundus photography for eventual vision outcomes in this population.

The diagnostics intracranial hypertension using ultrasound of the optic nerve channel in patients with intracranial hemorrhage

The purpose.To determine relationshipsbetween the value of intracranial pressure obtained by direct measurement (using ICP sensors), the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), and the optic nerve diameter obtained by ultrasound; to define a threshold for ONSD for diagnosing ICP more than 20 mm Hg.Materials and methods.33 patients with traumatic and non-traumatic intracranial hemorrhages were examined. All patients were continuously monitored by ICP and ultrasound of the optic nerve channel. We evaluated the ONSD and optic nerve diameter (OND) using ultrasound. 16 healthy volunteers were examined to determine the normal values of ONSD and OND.Results.All patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the type of ICP dynamics. Group 1 (n = 26): an initial value of ICP is less than 20 mm Hg, group 2 (n = 7): initially high ICP values. Group 1 was divided into 3 subgroups: 1a (n = 7) – ICP did not increase during the whole monitoring period, 1b1 (n = 10) – ICP transiently increased in the postoperative period and normalized after treating, 1b2 (n = 9) – refractory intracranial hypertension was developed in the postoperative period. Group 2 was divided into two subgroups: 2a (n = 4) – ICP normalized in the postoperative period, 2b (n = 3) – refractory intracranial hypertension was developed in the postoperative period. There was a significant relationship between ICP and ONSD (Spearman n = 318, R = 0.31, p < 0.001; Kruskal– Wallis p < 0.001)in all groups of patients. The diameter of the optic nerve was the same for both groups: healthy volunteers and the experimental group (Spearmann = 334, R = 0.0054, p = 0.96). The optimal value of ONSD for detection the ICP > 20 mm Hg was morethan 5.8 mm.Conclusion.The ultrasound of the optic nerve channel can be an additional screening non-invasive diagnostic method for patients with intracranial hypertension.

Longitudinal Assessment of Transorbital Sonography, Visual Acuity, and Biomarkers for Inflammation and Axonal Injury in Optic Neuritis

Background and Objective. To investigate the relationship between optic nerve sheath diameter, optic nerve diameter, visual acuity and osteopontin, and neurofilament heavy chain in patients with acute optic neuritis. Patients and Methods. Sonographic and visual acuity assessment and biomarker measurements were executed in 23 patients with unilateral optic neuritis and in 19 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Results. ONSD was thicker on the affected side at symptom onset (median 6.3 mm; interquartile range 6.0–6.5) than after 12 months (5.3 mm; 4.9–5.6; p<0.001) or than in controls (5.2 mm; 4.8–5.5; p<0.001). OND was significantly increased in the affected side (3.4 mm; 2.9–3.8) compared to healthy controls (2.7 mm; 2.5–2.9; p<0.001) and was thicker at baseline than after 12 months (2.8 mm; 2.7–3.0; p<0.01). Visual acuity improved significantly after 12 months (1.00; 0.90–1.00) compared to onset of symptoms (0.80; 0.40–1.00; p<0.001). OPN levels were significantly higher in patients at presentation (median 6.44 ng/ml; 2.05–10.06) compared to healthy controls (3.21 ng/ml, 1.34–4.34; p<0.03). Concentrations of NfH were significantly higher in patients than in controls. Conclusion. ONSD and OND are increased in the affected eye. OPN and NfH are elevated in patients, confirming the presence of any underlying inflammation and axonal injury.