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Mark J Kupersmith

Publications and source records attributed to Mark J Kupersmith.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Imaging of the optic disc and retinal nerve fiber layer in acute optic neuritis.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate whether optical coherence tomography (OCT-3) and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (HRT-2) can be used to measure changes of the optic disc and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in eyes with acute retrobulbar optic neuritis that have no clinically apparent optic disc swelling. To correlate these findings with presentation magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the affected optic nerve. METHODS: Eight consecutive patients with acute retrobulbar optic neuritis, who had no prior optic neuritis in either eye, were prospectively investigated at presentation and at between 1 and 3 months with clinical examination, OCT-3, HRT-2. At presentation, MRI of the optic nerves were performed in 7/8 patients. RESULTS: Compared to unaffected eyes, affected eyes without clinically seen optic disc swelling at baseline, there was a non-significant trend to increased thickness in the total RNFL, superior and nasal measurements. Baseline HRT in affected eyes showed smaller mean cup to disc ratio (p=0.003) and a smaller cup area (p=0.002) compared with the unaffected eye. The MRI-demonstrated optic nerve lesion did not correlate with OCT RNFL thickening or HRT decrease of the physiological cup. Follow-up imaging of the affected eyes showed normalization of HRT cup size parameters and OCT RNFL thickness (p<0.04). At follow-up, the temporal RNFL had thinning in 7/8 affected eyes (46.8 mum, p=0.021) compared with fellow unaffected eyes (57.8 mum), which did not change. CONCLUSION: OCT-3 and HRT demonstrate mild RNFL thickening or optic disc swelling in acute optic neuritis, even when swelling is not seen clinically. OCT-3 appears to reveal measurable RNFL thinning in the temporal quadrant after retrobulbar optic neuritis, even though vision improves. RNFL imaging may be useful in future studies of residual injury after optic neuritis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2006

Magnetic resonance angiography and clinical evaluation of third nerve palsies and posterior communicating artery aneurysms.

OBJECT: The authors conducted a study to determine the utility of the clinical profile and magnetic resonance (MR) angiography in evaluating patients with isolated third cranial nerve palsies or posterior communicating artery (PCoA) aneurysms. METHODS: Three-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography was performed in a consecutive series of patients with isolated acute third cranial nerve palsy not due to a ruptured aneurysm and in patients with unruptured PCoA aneurysms. A neuroradiologist, masked to the identities of the patients, interpreted reformatted maximum intensity projection (MIP) and source images of the PCoAs and aneurysms. The investigators assessed clinical features of oculomotor nerve dysfunction and focal head pain. Cases involving cranial third nerve palsy without aneurysms were classified as Group 1 (no case entailed catheter-based angiography), and cases involving PCoA aneurysms seen on MR angiography (42 cases confirmed by catheter-based angiography) were classified as Group 2. The mean age of the 73 patients in Group 1 was 60.1 years and that of the 45 patients in Group 2 was 59.1 years (p = 0.37). The pattern and severity of oculomotor (p = 0.61) and lid (p = 0.83) dysfunction and pain frequency (p = 0.2) were similar for the 73 patients with vasculopathy in Group 1 and the 15 symptomatic patients in Group 2. Abnormal pupils were observed in 38% of the patients in Group 1 and 80% of those in Group 2 (p = 0.016). In cases of complete external third nerve palsy, nine of 22 in Group 1 and none of four in Group 2 had normal pupil function. For all patients, source imaging showed 206 PCoAs (85%) and MIP imaging demonstrated 120 PCoAs (49%). Of 48 aneurysms (three bilateral), MIP imaging showed 44 (92%) and source imaging showed 47 (98%). Only a 2-mm aneurysm seen on catheter-based angiography was missed by MR angiography. Symptomatic aneurysms were equal or greater than 4 mm in size. CONCLUSIONS: Only the presence of complete external third nerve palsy and normal pupil function allowed ischemia to be clinically distinguished from a PCoA aneurysm in a patient with isolated third nerve palsy and no subarachnoid hemorrhage. When source image MR angiography demonstrates normal findings, catheter-based angiography need not be performed in these patients, even if pupil function is abnormal.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Transarterial embolization of vein of Galen malformations: the use of magnetic resonance imaging noninvasive optimal vessel analysis to quantify shunt reduction. Report of two cases.

In patients with vein of Galen malformations, high-flow shunting decreases cerebral perfusion. By reducing or eliminating these shunts, transarterial embolization can improve cerebral perfusion and clinical outcomes. Quantifying pre- and postembolization shunt blood flow may help determine the optimal timing and efficacy of embolization and may provide prognostic information. The authors used magnetic resonance imaging noninvasive optimal vessel analysis as a novel modality to measure volumetric blood flow through vein of Galen malformation shunts in a neonate and an infant before and after transarterial embolization.

Brain↗
PubMed2005

New methods for quantifying diplopia.

PURPOSE: To develop new methods for quantifying diplopia and test their validity, test-retest reliability, and responsiveness to treatment. DESIGN: Prospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients with diplopia in 2 tertiary referral practices. Diagnosis included cranial nerve palsies, thyroid eye disease, supranuclear palsies, and ocular myasthenia gravis. METHODS: The new diplopia questionnaire and cervical range of motion (CROM) diplopia examination were tested in a 15-patient validity study against the standard diplopia field performed on the Goldmann perimeter (each scored 0 [no diplopia] to 100 [constant diplopia in all fields]). The test-retest reliability of the CROM diplopia examination was determined in 27 patients. The responsiveness to treatment of the diplopia questionnaire and the CROM examination was tested in 15 patients who underwent strabismus surgery or received systemic prednisone for ocular myasthenia gravis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Validity was evaluated by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) compared with the standard Goldmann diplopia field. Test-rest reliability was evaluated by the ICC. Responsiveness to treatment was evaluated by comparing pretreatment and posttreatment scores. RESULTS: There was excellent agreement between the diplopia questionnaire score and Goldmann diplopia field score (ICC, 0.90) and between the CROM diplopia examination score and Goldmann diplopia field score (ICC, 0.88). Intertester reliability of the CROM diplopia examination score was excellent (ICC, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.74-0.94). Postintervention scores were significantly lower than baseline (P = 0.0003 for CROM and P = 0.0001 for the questionnaire), with a median postintervention improvement of 48 for the CROM diplopia score (quartiles 12-68) and 36 for the diplopia questionnaire (quartiles 20-52). CONCLUSIONS: Our new diplopia questionnaire and new CROM diplopia examination are valid, reliable, and responsive measures of diplopia severity. The tests are easy to administer and require less expensive and less cumbersome equipment than previously available.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Presentation, natural history, and management of carotid cavernous aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: We present the largest reported cohort of carotid cavernous aneurysms (CCA), comparing the neuro-ophthalmic presentation, complications, and outcome with and without endovascular treatment. METHODS: Retrospective review of 185 patients with 206 CCAs examined between 1980 and 2001 at a tertiary neuro-ophthalmology and neurovascular service. Patients' symptoms and findings at presentation were recorded and compared with those at outcome. The effect of treatment on outcome and on complication rate was analyzed using the chi test, multivariate analysis of covariance, model-selection log-linear analysis, and multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: Long-term follow-up was available for 189 of 206 CCAs. Seventy-four CCAs underwent treatment (endovascular, 67 [91%]; surgical treatment, 6 [9%]), and 115 were followed for an average of 4 years, two of which required later treatment. Treatment reduced the incidence and severity of pain, even after adjusting for the severity of initial pain (F(1,192 = 9.59, P = 0.002). Treatment did not significantly affect the patient's final diplopia after adjusting for their initial diplopia (F(1, 182 = 2.01, P = 0.158). Statistical examination revealed that the treated group had a higher proportion of neurological and visual complications than people who were not treated (2(2). = 25.26, P = 0.0003). CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment of carotid cavernous aneurysms leads to a significantly higher rate of pain resolution compared with untreated patients, even after adjusting for initial pain severity. Diplopia may not resolve after treatment. The results of this study underscore our approach indicating treatment only in cases of debilitating pain, visual loss from compression, or diplopia in primary gaze or in patients with risk factors for major complications such as pre-existing coagulopathy or sphenoid sinus erosion.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Neurologic impairment 10 years after optic neuritis.

BACKGROUND: Participants enrolled in the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial have been observed for more than a decade to assess the relationship between optic neuritis and the development of clinically definite multiple sclerosis. OBJECTIVE: To assess neurologic disability 10 to 12 years after an initial episode of optic neuritis. DESIGN: Longitudinal follow-up of a clinical trial. SETTING: Fourteen Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial clinical centers performed standardized neurologic examinations, including an assessment of neurologic disability. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred twenty-seven patients who had developed clinically definite multiple sclerosis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Functional Systems Scale and Expanded Disability Status Scale. RESULTS: The disability of most patients was mild, with 65% of patients having an Expanded Disability Status Scale score lower than 3.0. The degree of disability appeared to be unrelated to whether the baseline magnetic resonance imaging scan was lesion-free or showed lesions (P =.51). Among patients with baseline lesions, the degree of disability was unrelated to the number of lesions that were present on the scan (P =.14). Two patients died owing to severe multiple sclerosis, one of whom had no lesions revealed on the baseline scan. CONCLUSION: Most patients who develop clinically definite multiple sclerosis following an initial episode of optic neuritis will have a relatively benign course for at least 10 years.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Comparing ocular muscle limitation tests for clinical trial use.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate portable methods for documenting ocular muscle limitation that might be used at multiple sites in a clinical trial. METHODS: In a prospective consecutive case series, 2 examiners independently evaluated 3 methods of ocular muscle duction testing: a grading scale of 0 to -5 that is in clinical use, the Kestenbaum limbus test using a ruler to measure the millimeters of ocular movement, and an adapted cervical range of motion (CROM) device that measures ocular movement in degrees. Twenty consenting patients (mean age, 55 years) with diplopia, 8 with ocular myasthenia gravis, 11 with a cranial nerve III or VI palsy, and 1 with dysthyroid ophthalmopathy were studied. RESULTS: For Kestenbaum measures, between examiners the standard deviation of the difference for all ductions was 1.9 mm (r = 0.75, P =.01); 95% of differences were 4 mm or less. For the CROM device, the standard deviation of the difference was 7.1 degrees; 95% of differences were 15 degrees or less (r = 0.73, P =.01). For each examiner, the CROM standard deviation of the difference was less than 2 degrees (r = 0.98, P =.01). For the grading scale, the 2 examiners had the same score in 85% of ductions (r = 0.92, P =.01). CONCLUSIONS: The Kestenbaum test and the CROM device gave similar interexaminer repeatability. The repeatability for CROM measures for each examiner was high but was considerably less between examiners. The grading scale gave similar results between examiners.

Abducens Nerve Diseases↗
PubMed2004

Visual function more than 10 years after optic neuritis: experience of the optic neuritis treatment trial.

PURPOSE: To assess visual function more than 10 years after an episode of optic neuritis in patients enrolled in the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial. DESIGN: Longitudinal follow-up of a randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Vision testing included measures of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and visual field. Quality of life was assessed with the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire. RESULTS: Examinations were completed on 319 patients. In most patients, visual function test results in the eyes that experienced optic neuritis at study entry ("affected eyes") were normal or only slightly abnormal after 9.9 to 13.7 years. Visual acuity in the affected eyes was >or=20/20 in 74%, 20/25 to 20/40 in 18%, <20/40 to 20/200 in 5%, and <20/200 in 3%. On average, visual function was worse in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) than in those without MS. Recurrent optic neuritis in either eye occurred in 35% of patients. Such attacks were more frequent in patients with MS (P <.001). The National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire scores were lower when visual acuity was abnormal and when MS was present. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients retained good to excellent vision more than 10 years after an attack of optic neuritis. Recurrences were more frequent in patients with MS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

The natural history of nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage-related intraocular hemorrhages.

PURPOSE: To describe the natural history of intraocular hemorrhages related to subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) as a result of ruptured intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients with cerebral aneurysms examined by a referral neuro-ophthalmology service between 1980 and 1998. Patients with intraocular hemorrhages associated with SAH as a result of ruptured aneurysms were followed up without vitrectomy, unless bilateral vitreous hemorrhage occurred. RESULTS: Seventy of 450 patients with cerebral aneurysms had an SAH. Of these, 30 eyes of 19 patients had intraocular hemorrhages. Fourteen eyes had a vitreous hemorrhage; 12 had subhyaloid blood without a vitreous hemorrhage; and four had retinal hemorrhages alone. Two patients died shortly after presentation. Twenty-eight eyes were followed up for a mean of 4.8 years. Initial visual acuity was 20/100 to light perception in eyes with a vitreous hemorrhage, 20/20 to 20/400 in eyes with subhyaloid blood, and 20/20 to 20/40 in eyes with retinal hemorrhages. Three of the 12 eyes with a vitreous hemorrhage underwent vitrectomy. Of the nonoperated eyes, final visual acuity was at least 20/30 in 19 (76%) eyes, 20/40 to 20/60 in four (16%) eyes, and 20/100 in both eyes of one patient with premacular subhyaloid blood. None of the nonoperated eyes developed cataract formation or progression, retinal tears, or retinal detachment. Epiretinal membrane developed in one eye and pigmentary maculopathy developed in five. CONCLUSIONS: Except for patients with bilateral vitreous hemorrhages, early vitrectomy may not be necessary in most cases of intraocular hemorrhages associated with nontraumatic SAH.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Thrombus formation during intracranial aneurysm coil placement: treatment with intra-arterial abciximab.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The management of thrombus formation during coil placement in an intracranial aneurysm is important in minimizing periprocedural morbidity and mortality. We report on seven cases in which the primary treatment for thrombus formation during such coil placement was intra-arterial abciximab infusion. METHODS: Clinical and radiologic records of 100 consecutive patients who underwent coil placement in intracranial aneurysms at our institution during a 1-year period were reviewed. We identified seven cases (four ruptured aneurysms, three unruptured aneurysms) in which thrombus formation occurred during the procedure. RESULTS: Intra-arterial abciximab infusion, up to 5 mg, completely dissolved the thrombus in four of seven patients and almost completely dissolved it in two. In one patient with distal emboli, recanalization was not achieved. In two patients, an intravenous bolus of abciximab without 12-hour infusion was also given adjunctively. In one patient, leakage of contrast material occurred; this was related to the intra-arterial infusion. Clinically, no new neurologic deficits were directly related to the intra-arterial abciximab infusion. Six patients had good clinical outcome, and one patient died. CONCLUSION: Relatively low-dose, intra-arterial abciximab infusion can immediately dissolve an acute thrombus that forms during intracranial aneurysm coil placement. Although neither the optimal dose of intra-arterial abciximab nor the need to supplement the intra-arterial infusion with intravenous administration was established, we preliminarily found that low-dose intra-arterial abciximab infusion may be relatively effective and safe in this setting, even in patients with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Abciximab↗
PubMed2003

Development of generalized disease at 2 years in patients with ocular myasthenia gravis.

BACKGROUND: Generalized myasthenia gravis will develop in more than 50% of patients who present with ocular myasthenia gravis, typically within 2 years. The optimal treatment of ocular myasthenia gravis, including the use of corticosteroids, remains controversial. In addition, the prevalence of thymoma and the optimal performance of the edrophonium chloride test for ocular myasthenia remain unknown. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of oral corticosteroid therapy on the frequency of development of generalized myasthenia gravis within 2 years, the incidence of thymoma, and the amount of edrophonium needed for a positive test result in patients with ocular myasthenia gravis. METHODS: We reviewed an ocular myasthenia gravis database of 147 patients. Patients underwent measurement of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody levels and chest computed tomography. Unless contraindicated, patients with diplopia were recommended for therapy with prednisone, up to 40 to 60 mg/d, with the dosage tapered for 5 to 6 weeks. Most continued to receive daily or alternate-day doses of 2.5 to 10 mg to prevent diplopia. Patients not given prednisone (untreated group) received pyridostigmine bromide or no medication. After the diagnosis, we documented the signs and symptoms of ocular and generalized myasthenia gravis and performed 2-year follow-up in 94 patients. RESULTS: The mean dose of edrophonium chloride to give a positive response was 3.3 mg (SD, 1.6 mg) for ptosis and 2.6 mg (SD, 1.1 mg) for ocular motor dysfunction. Thymoma occurred in 1 patient (0.7%). Generalized myasthenia gravis developed within 2 years in 4 of 58 treated and 13 of 36 untreated patients. The odds ratio (OR) for development of generalized disease in the treated group was 0.13 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.04-0.45) compared with the untreated group. The AChR antibody level was not predictive of development of generalized myasthenia gravis at 2 years, but the risk was greater in patients with abnormal AChR antibody levels (OR, 6.33; 95% CI, 1.71-23.42). Logistic regression that included age, abnormal AChR antibody level, and prednisone therapy yielded significance only for abnormal AChR antibody level (OR, 7.03; 95% CI, 1.35-36.64) and treatment (OR, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.01-0.30). CONCLUSIONS: At 2 years, prednisone treatment appears to reduce the incidence of generalized myasthenia gravis to 7% in contrast to 36% of patients who did not receive prednisone. Thymoma, although uncommon, occurs in ocular myasthenia gravis. Only small amounts of edrophonium are needed to diagnose ocular myasthenia gravis.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2003

High- and low-risk profiles for the development of multiple sclerosis within 10 years after optic neuritis: experience of the optic neuritis treatment trial.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with a high and low risk of developing multiple sclerosis after an initial episode of optic neuritis. METHODS: Three hundred eighty-eight patients who experienced acute optic neuritis between July 1, 1988, and June 30, 1991, were followed up prospectively for the development of multiple sclerosis. Consenting patients were reassessed after 10 to 13 years. RESULTS: The 10-year risk of multiple sclerosis was 38% (95% confidence interval, 33%-43%). Patients (160) who had 1 or more typical lesions on the baseline magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain had a 56% risk; those with no lesions (191) had a 22% risk (P<.001, log rank test). Among the patients who had no lesions on MRI, male gender and optic disc swelling were associated with a lower risk of multiple sclerosis, as was the presence of the following atypical features for optic neuritis: no light perception vision; absence of pain; and ophthalmoscopic findings of severe optic disc edema, peripapillary hemorrhages, or retinal exudates. CONCLUSIONS: The 10-year risk of multiple sclerosis following an initial episode of acute optic neuritis is significantly higher if there is a single brain MRI lesion; higher numbers of lesions do not appreciably increase that risk. However, even when brain lesions are seen on MRI, more than 40% of the patients will not develop clinical multiple sclerosis after 10 years. In the absence of MRI lesions, certain demographic and clinical features seem to predict a very low likelihood of developing multiple sclerosis. This natural history information is a critical input for estimating a patient's 10-year multiple sclerosis risk and for weighing the benefit of initiating prophylactic treatment at the time of optic neuritis or other initial demyelinating events in the central nervous system.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

Acute occipital demyelinating lesion appearing as an infarct on diffusion magnetic resonance imaging.

PURPOSE: To report a case of a 27-year-old woman who presented with an acute right homonymous visual field deficit due to demyelination diagnosed by postprocessing analysis of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). DESIGN: Observational case report. METHODS: Magnetic resonance imaging analysis with an exponential diffusion-weighted imaging. RESULTS: On MRI, a left occipital lesion with mild enhancement after gadolinium infusion on the T1-weighted image, bright signal with some mass effect on the T2-weighted image, and the diffusion-weighted imaging suggested a diagnosis of an acute infarct. With the use of the exponential image technique, the T2 hyperintense signal present on the diffusion study was almost completely eliminated, changing the diagnosis and treatment plan. Subsequent examinations and MRI confirmed the diagnosis of demyelinating disease. CONCLUSIONS: In diseases such as cerebral ischemia and demyelination, MRI diffusion is often abnormal because such diseases modify the integrity of central nervous system structures. A technique that subtracts the T2 contribution to the diffusion-weighted imaging analysis supported a diagnosis of an acute demyelinating episode that was subsequently confirmed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

Optic neuritis: correlation of pain and magnetic resonance imaging.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate whether the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) localization of the abnormal enhancement of the optic nerve can be related to the pain or pattern of visual field loss associated with acute optic neuritis. DESIGN: Retrospective observational series and MRI review from a referral neuro-ophthalmology service. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-three women and 23 men with acute optic neuritis who had high resolution gadolinium-enhanced fat-suppressed MRI within twenty days of the onset of visual loss. METHODS: The presence of eye or other fifth cranial nerve (V(1)) pain, and pain with eye movement ipsilateral to the affected optic nerve or no eye pain was recorded. The neuroradiologist reviewed the MRI, masked to the affected eye, and recorded the length and segment (orbital, canalicular, intracranial, or combination of segments) of abnormal optic nerve enhancement. The presenting visual field defects were characterized as diffuse, central, arcuate, nasal or temporal. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The types of pain and patterns of field loss were correlated with the segments of optic nerve enhancement in the affected eye. RESULTS: Five patients had nerves that did not enhance and were excluded from the outcome analysis. In the 91 patients with abnormal enhancement, 70 experienced eye/V(1) pain, 67 had pain with eye movement and 17 patients had no pain. Enhancement of the orbital optic nerve occurred in 66 patients, 93.9% who had eye/V(1) pain and 92.4% who had pain with eye movement. In the 25 patients with enhancement of the canalicular, intracranial or both segments, without orbital involvement, 32% had eye/V(1) pain and 24% had pain with eye movement. No pain occurred in 3% with enhancement of the orbital segment and in 60% with enhancement of the other optic nerve segments. The length of enhancement moderately correlated with eye/V(1) pain (r = 0.49, P = 0.01) and pain with eye movement (r = 0.37, P = 0.01). Patients with enhancement longer than 10 mm had pain five times (P = 0.004) more frequent than did those with enhancement <or=10 mm. There was no significant specific pattern of field loss associated with a particular location of enhancement, except temporal field loss occurred in 25% of intracranial lesions (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: When optic neuritis involved the orbital segment of the optic nerve, eye or other V(1) distribution pain (94.3% vs. 32%) and pain with eye movement (91.4% vs. 24%) were significantly more frequent. In contrast, pain was absent 20 times more often when the orbital segment was not involved (60% vs. 3%). Except for temporal field loss in eyes with intracranial nerve lesions, no pattern of visual field loss appeared to correlate with the location or length of abnormal optic nerve enhancement.

Acute Disease↗