Skip to main content
Top
Published in:

03-01-2024 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging | Original Article

Establishing Optic Nerve Diameter Threshold Sensitive and Specific for Optic Atrophy Diagnosis

Authors: Michael L. Prairie, Mehmet Gencturk, Collin M. McClelland, Nicholas A. Marka, Ziou Jiang, Mark Folkertsma, Michael S. Lee

Published in: Clinical Neuroradiology | Issue 2/2024

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

To determine a potential threshold optic nerve diameter (OND) that could reliably differentiate healthy nerves from those affected by optic atrophy (OA) and to determine correlations of OND in OA with retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, visual acuity (VA), and visual field mean deviation (VFMD).

Methods

This was a retrospective case control study. Magnetic resonance (MR) images were reviewed from individuals with OA aged 18 years or older with vision loss for more than 6 months and an OA diagnosis established by a neuro-ophthalmologist. Individuals without OA who underwent MR imaging of the orbit for other purposes were also collected. OND was measured on coronal T2-weighted images in the midorbital section, 1cm posterior to the optic disc. Measurements of mean RNFL thickness, VA and VFMD were also collected.

Results

In this study 47 OA subjects (63% women, 78 eyes) and 75 normal subjects (42.7% women, 127 eyes) were assessed. Healthy ONDs (mean 2.73 ± 0.24 mm) were significantly greater than OA nerve diameters (mean 1.94 ± 0.32 mm; P < 0.001). A threshold OND of ≤2.3 mm had a sensitivity of 0.92 and a specificity of 0.93 in predicting OA. Mean RNFL (r = 0.05, p = 0.68), VA (r = 0.17, p = 0.14), and VFMD (r = 0.18, p = 0.16) were not significantly associated with OND.

Conclusion

ONDs are significantly reduced in patients with OA compared with healthy nerves. A threshold OND of ≤2.3 mm is highly sensitive and specific for a diagnosis of OA. OND was not significantly correlated with RNFL thickness, VA, or VFMD.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
2.
4.
go back to reference Zhao B, Torun N, Elsayed M, Cheng A‑D, Brook A, Chang Y‑M, et al. Diagnostic Utility of Optic Nerve Measurements with MRI in Patients with Optic Nerve Atrophy. Ajnr Am J Neuroradiol. 2019;40:558–61.PubMedPubMedCentral Zhao B, Torun N, Elsayed M, Cheng A‑D, Brook A, Chang Y‑M, et al. Diagnostic Utility of Optic Nerve Measurements with MRI in Patients with Optic Nerve Atrophy. Ajnr Am J Neuroradiol. 2019;40:558–61.PubMedPubMedCentral
5.
go back to reference Ajtony C, Balla Z, Somoskeoy S, Kovacs B. Relationship between Visual Field Sensitivity and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness as Measured by Optical Coherence Tomography. Investig Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007;48:258–63.CrossRef Ajtony C, Balla Z, Somoskeoy S, Kovacs B. Relationship between Visual Field Sensitivity and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness as Measured by Optical Coherence Tomography. Investig Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007;48:258–63.CrossRef
6.
go back to reference Yekta AA, Sorouh S, Asharlous A, Mirzajani A, Jafarzadehpur E, Soltan Sanjari M, et al. Is retinal nerve fibre layer thickness correlated with visual function in individuals having optic neuritis? Clin Exp Optom. 2022;105:726–32.CrossRefPubMed Yekta AA, Sorouh S, Asharlous A, Mirzajani A, Jafarzadehpur E, Soltan Sanjari M, et al. Is retinal nerve fibre layer thickness correlated with visual function in individuals having optic neuritis? Clin Exp Optom. 2022;105:726–32.CrossRefPubMed
7.
8.
go back to reference Fujimoto JG, Pitris C, Boppart SA, Brezinski ME. Optical Coherence Tomography: An Emerging Technology for Biomedical Imaging and Optical Biopsy. Neoplasia. 2000;2:9–25.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Fujimoto JG, Pitris C, Boppart SA, Brezinski ME. Optical Coherence Tomography: An Emerging Technology for Biomedical Imaging and Optical Biopsy. Neoplasia. 2000;2:9–25.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
10.
go back to reference Flores-Sánchez BC, Tatham AJ. Acute angle closure glaucoma. Br J Hosp Med (lond). 2019;80:C174–9.CrossRefPubMed Flores-Sánchez BC, Tatham AJ. Acute angle closure glaucoma. Br J Hosp Med (lond). 2019;80:C174–9.CrossRefPubMed
11.
go back to reference Kang JM, Glaucoma TAP. Medical Clinics of North. America. 2021;105:493–510. Kang JM, Glaucoma TAP. Medical Clinics of North. America. 2021;105:493–510.
12.
13.
go back to reference Iorga RE, Moraru A, Ozturk MR, Costin D. The role of Optical Coherence Tomography in optic neuropathies. Rom. J Ophthalmol. 2018;62:3–14. Iorga RE, Moraru A, Ozturk MR, Costin D. The role of Optical Coherence Tomography in optic neuropathies. Rom. J Ophthalmol. 2018;62:3–14.
14.
go back to reference Micieli JA, Newman NJ, Biousse V. The role of optical coherence tomography in the evaluation of compressive optic neuropathies. Curr Opin Neurol. 2019;32:115–23.CrossRefPubMed Micieli JA, Newman NJ, Biousse V. The role of optical coherence tomography in the evaluation of compressive optic neuropathies. Curr Opin Neurol. 2019;32:115–23.CrossRefPubMed
15.
go back to reference Chan NCY, Chan CKM. The Role of Optical Coherence Tomography in the Acute Management of Neuro-Ophthalmic Diseases. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila). 2018;7:265–70.PubMed Chan NCY, Chan CKM. The Role of Optical Coherence Tomography in the Acute Management of Neuro-Ophthalmic Diseases. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila). 2018;7:265–70.PubMed
16.
go back to reference Jeanjean L, Castelnovo G, Carlander B, Villain M, Mura F, Dupeyron G, et al. Retinal atrophy using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in 15 patients with multiple sclerosis and comparison with healthy subjects. Rev Neurol (paris). 2008;164:927–34.CrossRefPubMed Jeanjean L, Castelnovo G, Carlander B, Villain M, Mura F, Dupeyron G, et al. Retinal atrophy using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in 15 patients with multiple sclerosis and comparison with healthy subjects. Rev Neurol (paris). 2008;164:927–34.CrossRefPubMed
17.
go back to reference Gordon-Lipkin E, Chodkowski B, Reich DS, Smith SA, Pulicken M, Balcer LJ, et al. Retinal nerve fiber layer is associated with brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis. Neurology. 2007;69:1603–9.CrossRefPubMed Gordon-Lipkin E, Chodkowski B, Reich DS, Smith SA, Pulicken M, Balcer LJ, et al. Retinal nerve fiber layer is associated with brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis. Neurology. 2007;69:1603–9.CrossRefPubMed
18.
go back to reference Alasil T, Wang K, Keane PA, Lee H, Baniasadi N, de Boer JF, et al. Analysis of normal retinal nerve fiber layer thickness by age, sex, and race using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. J Glaucoma. 2013;22:532–41.CrossRefPubMed Alasil T, Wang K, Keane PA, Lee H, Baniasadi N, de Boer JF, et al. Analysis of normal retinal nerve fiber layer thickness by age, sex, and race using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. J Glaucoma. 2013;22:532–41.CrossRefPubMed
19.
go back to reference Budenz DL, Anderson DR, Varma R, Schuman J, Cantor L, Savell J, et al. Determinants of Normal Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Measured by Stratus OCT. Ophthalmology. 2007;114:1046–52.CrossRefPubMed Budenz DL, Anderson DR, Varma R, Schuman J, Cantor L, Savell J, et al. Determinants of Normal Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Measured by Stratus OCT. Ophthalmology. 2007;114:1046–52.CrossRefPubMed
20.
go back to reference Ngoo QZ. A NF, A B, Wh WH. Evaluation of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Optic Nerve Head Parameters in Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Patients. Korean J Ophthalmol. 2021;35:223–30.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Ngoo QZ. A NF, A B, Wh WH. Evaluation of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Optic Nerve Head Parameters in Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Patients. Korean J Ophthalmol. 2021;35:223–30.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
21.
go back to reference Ko F, Muthy ZA, Gallacher J, Sudlow C, Rees G, Yang Q, et al. Association of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thinning With Current and Future Cognitive Decline: A Study Using Optical Coherence Tomography. Jama Neurol. 2018;75:1198–205.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Ko F, Muthy ZA, Gallacher J, Sudlow C, Rees G, Yang Q, et al. Association of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thinning With Current and Future Cognitive Decline: A Study Using Optical Coherence Tomography. Jama Neurol. 2018;75:1198–205.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
22.
go back to reference Gemelli H, Fidalgo TM, Gracitelli CPB, de Andrade EP. Retinal nerve fiber layer analysis in cocaine users. Psychiatry Res. 2019;271:226–9.CrossRefPubMed Gemelli H, Fidalgo TM, Gracitelli CPB, de Andrade EP. Retinal nerve fiber layer analysis in cocaine users. Psychiatry Res. 2019;271:226–9.CrossRefPubMed
23.
go back to reference Orum MH, Kalenderoglu A. Acute opioid use may cause choroidal thinning and retinal nerve fiber layer increase. J Addict Dis. 2021;39:322–30.CrossRefPubMed Orum MH, Kalenderoglu A. Acute opioid use may cause choroidal thinning and retinal nerve fiber layer increase. J Addict Dis. 2021;39:322–30.CrossRefPubMed
24.
go back to reference Mahjoob M, Maleki A‑R, Askarizadeh F, Heydarian S, Rakhshandadi T. Macula and optic disk features in methamphetamine and crystal methamphetamine addicts using optical coherence tomography. Int Ophthalmol. 2022;42:2055–62.CrossRefPubMed Mahjoob M, Maleki A‑R, Askarizadeh F, Heydarian S, Rakhshandadi T. Macula and optic disk features in methamphetamine and crystal methamphetamine addicts using optical coherence tomography. Int Ophthalmol. 2022;42:2055–62.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Establishing Optic Nerve Diameter Threshold Sensitive and Specific for Optic Atrophy Diagnosis
Authors
Michael L. Prairie
Mehmet Gencturk
Collin M. McClelland
Nicholas A. Marka
Ziou Jiang
Mark Folkertsma
Michael S. Lee
Publication date
03-01-2024
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Clinical Neuroradiology / Issue 2/2024
Print ISSN: 1869-1439
Electronic ISSN: 1869-1447
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00062-023-01369-w