Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Neurocritical Care 2/2014

01-10-2014 | Practical Pearl

Neurologist Versus Machine: Is the Pupillometer Better than the Naked Eye in Detecting Pupillary Reactivity

Authors: Christopher L. Kramer, Alejandro A. Rabinstein, Eelco F. M. Wijdicks, Sara E. Hocker

Published in: Neurocritical Care | Issue 2/2014

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

A 62-year-old man with severe traumatic brain injury developed postsurgical anisocoria in which there was a discrepancy between pupillometer and manual testing.

Methods

Case report.

Results

The patient’s larger pupil was read as unreactive by the pupillometer but constricted 1 mm over 7–9 s of continuous light stimulation.

Conclusions

While pupillometry assessment is a valuable adjunct to the manual pupillary assessment, this case demonstrates that nonreactive pupils read on the pupillometer should be confirmed with the manual examination because it can miss very slowly reacting pupils.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
go back to reference Walters BC et al. Early indicators of prognosis in severe traumatic brain injury. Brain Trauma Foundation Guidelines 2000; 186–198. Walters BC et al. Early indicators of prognosis in severe traumatic brain injury. Brain Trauma Foundation Guidelines 2000; 186–198.
2.
go back to reference Wijdicks EFM, Hijdra A, Young GB, Bassetti CL, Wiebe S. Practice parameter: prediction of outcome in comatose survivors after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (an evidence-based review): Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 2006;67:203–10.PubMedCrossRef Wijdicks EFM, Hijdra A, Young GB, Bassetti CL, Wiebe S. Practice parameter: prediction of outcome in comatose survivors after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (an evidence-based review): Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 2006;67:203–10.PubMedCrossRef
3.
go back to reference Fugate JE, Wijdicks EFM, Mandrekar J, et al. Predictors of neurologic outcome in hypothermia after cardiac arrest. Ann Neurol. 2010;68:907–14.PubMedCrossRef Fugate JE, Wijdicks EFM, Mandrekar J, et al. Predictors of neurologic outcome in hypothermia after cardiac arrest. Ann Neurol. 2010;68:907–14.PubMedCrossRef
4.
go back to reference Bushnell CD, Phillips-Bute BG, Laskowitz DT, Lynch JR, Chilukuri V, Borel CO. Survival and outcome after endotracheal intubation for acute stroke. Neurology. 1999;52:1374–81.PubMedCrossRef Bushnell CD, Phillips-Bute BG, Laskowitz DT, Lynch JR, Chilukuri V, Borel CO. Survival and outcome after endotracheal intubation for acute stroke. Neurology. 1999;52:1374–81.PubMedCrossRef
5.
go back to reference Wijdicks EFM, Bamlet WR, Maramattom BV, Manno EM, McClelland RL. Validation of a new coma scale: the FOUR score. Ann Neurol. 2005;58:585–93.PubMedCrossRef Wijdicks EFM, Bamlet WR, Maramattom BV, Manno EM, McClelland RL. Validation of a new coma scale: the FOUR score. Ann Neurol. 2005;58:585–93.PubMedCrossRef
6.
go back to reference Wijdicks EFM, Varelas PN, Gronseth FS, et al. Evidence-based guideline update: determining brain death in adults: Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 2010;74:1911–8.PubMedCrossRef Wijdicks EFM, Varelas PN, Gronseth FS, et al. Evidence-based guideline update: determining brain death in adults: Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 2010;74:1911–8.PubMedCrossRef
8.
go back to reference Wilson S, Amling JK, Floyd SD, McNair ND. Determining interrater reliability of nurses’ assessment of pupil size. J Neurosci Nurs. 1988;20:189–92.PubMedCrossRef Wilson S, Amling JK, Floyd SD, McNair ND. Determining interrater reliability of nurses’ assessment of pupil size. J Neurosci Nurs. 1988;20:189–92.PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference Van Den Berge JH, Schouten HJA, Boomstra S, Van Drunen Little S, Braakman R. Interobserver agreement in assessment of ocular signs in coma. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1979;42:1163–8.PubMedCrossRefPubMedCentral Van Den Berge JH, Schouten HJA, Boomstra S, Van Drunen Little S, Braakman R. Interobserver agreement in assessment of ocular signs in coma. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1979;42:1163–8.PubMedCrossRefPubMedCentral
10.
go back to reference Litvan I, Saposnik G, Maurino J, Gonzalez L, Saizar R, Sica REP, Bartko JJ. Pupillary diameter assessment: need for a graded scale. Neurology. 2000;54:530.PubMedCrossRef Litvan I, Saposnik G, Maurino J, Gonzalez L, Saizar R, Sica REP, Bartko JJ. Pupillary diameter assessment: need for a graded scale. Neurology. 2000;54:530.PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Larson MD, Muhiudeen I. Pupillometric analysis of the ‘Absent Light Reflex’. Arch Neurol. 1995;52:369–72.PubMedCrossRef Larson MD, Muhiudeen I. Pupillometric analysis of the ‘Absent Light Reflex’. Arch Neurol. 1995;52:369–72.PubMedCrossRef
12.
go back to reference Meeker M, Du R, Bacchetti P, Privitera CM, Larson MD, Holland MC, Manley G. Pupil examination: validity and clinical utility of an automated pupillometer. J Neurosci Nurs. 2005;37(1):34–40.PubMedCrossRef Meeker M, Du R, Bacchetti P, Privitera CM, Larson MD, Holland MC, Manley G. Pupil examination: validity and clinical utility of an automated pupillometer. J Neurosci Nurs. 2005;37(1):34–40.PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Neurologist Versus Machine: Is the Pupillometer Better than the Naked Eye in Detecting Pupillary Reactivity
Authors
Christopher L. Kramer
Alejandro A. Rabinstein
Eelco F. M. Wijdicks
Sara E. Hocker
Publication date
01-10-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Neurocritical Care / Issue 2/2014
Print ISSN: 1541-6933
Electronic ISSN: 1556-0961
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12028-014-9988-5

Other articles of this Issue 2/2014

Neurocritical Care 2/2014 Go to the issue