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[Computerized tomography of the orbit and optic nerve canals in optic nerve atrophy of diverse etiology].

Computerized tomography has been used to examine 10 patients with cranial injuries aftereffects presenting as optic nerve atrophies (Group 1), 24 patients with nontraumatic optic nerve atrophies (Group 2), and 89 subjects without optic nerve abnormalities. Density asymmetry in the projection of the optic nerve canal cranial openings has been the computerized tomography sign that indicated the involvement of the optic nerve in Group 1 patients. Increased pneumatization of the main bone sinus has been detected 2 times more frequently in Group 2 patients.

Adolescent↗

Long echo time STIR sequence MRI of optic nerves in optic neuritis.

MRI of the optic nerves was obtained in 13 patients with acute optic neuritis and 13 with a previous optic neuritis (ON), assessed by clinical features, visual fields and visual evoked potentials. Results of the conventional short tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequence obtained with a short echo time (STE-STIR; 22 ms) were compared with those of a long echo time (LTE-STIR: 80 ms) sequence. The conventional STE-STIR sequence revealed lesions in the optic nerves in 78.5% of acute and 58.8% of previous ON. The LTE-STIR sequence showed abnormalities in 92.8% of acutely symptomatic nerves and 94.1% of nerves with previous ON. The optic nerve lesions appeared significantly longer with the LTE-STIR sequence than with the conventional STE-STIR sequences, in both acute and previous ON.

Adult↗

[Transnasal optic nerve decompression for optic nerve injury].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility, techniques and advantages of the treatment of optic nerve injury by intranasal endoscopic surgery. METHOD: This retrospective study presents the results of 39 cases (40 optic nerves) of indirect optic neuropathy where surgical decompression represented the primary mode of treatment within 2-18 days after trauma. The surgery is performed using the transethmoidal or trans-sphenoid technique. The optic nerve canal and fracture line are located in Onodi cells or lateral wall of sphenoid sinus. The optic nerve and its sheath are exposed, and the nose is packed by gelfoam; The medication and Hyperbaric oxygen are used after surgical. RESULT: The following up period is at least 3 months. The total effective rate of visual improvement was 60%, and the effective rate operating within 2-7 days or 8-18 days after trauma turned out to be 66.7% and 30%. CONCLUSION: The endoscopic technique offers several advantages over other surgical approaches. It provides excellent visualization of the surgical site, avoids the morbidity associated with intracranial and external exeracranial approaches and offers the best option for recovery of useful vision. With the development of this technique, the indication should be extended. The prognosis had correlated with the degree of trauma, days until surgery and surgical technique.

Adolescent↗

Long-term outcome of optic nerve encasement and optic nerve decompression in patients with fibrous dysplasia: risk factors for blindness and safety of observation.

OBJECTIVE: Fibrous dysplasia (FD) of bone may occur solely as a skeletal condition or it may occur in association with extraskeletal manifestations, including growth hormone (GH) excess. Uncertainty exists as to the management of FD involving the optic nerves. In an effort to clarify management, the authors studied a large population of patients. METHODS: One hundred four patients underwent an evaluation that included review of records, endocrine testing, cranial computed tomography, and neuro-ophthalmological examination. RESULTS: Ninety-one of 104 patients had craniofacial FD; complete records were available for 87 patients (174 nerves). Seventeen percent of the optic nerves were less than 50% encased, 22% were 50 to 99% encased, and 61% were 100% encased. Twelve percent of the nerves that were 100% encased showed evidence of optic neuropathy, but 88% did not. The group with optic neuropathy was not older than the group without. Patients with GH excess were significantly more likely to have nerves that were 100% encased (relative risk, 4.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-11.1; P = 0.0017) and to have optic neuropathy (relative risk, 3.8; 95% confidence interval, 2.0-7.1; P = 0.0019). Six prophylactic optic nerve decompressions were performed; in five patients, vision was stable after surgery, and one patient was blind after surgery. Thirteen interventional optic nerve decompression procedures were performed; six of the 13 patients showed some improvement and seven of the 13 showed no improvement or worsened vision. CONCLUSION: The vast majority of optic nerves encased with FD do not exhibit symptoms of optic neuropathy and seem to be stable over time. GH excess is associated with increased risk of nerve encasement and optic neuropathy. Patients with craniofacial FD should be screened for GH excess, and optic nerve decompression should be performed only when there is objective evidence of progressive optic neuropathy.

Adolescent↗

Long time echo stir sequence magnetic resonance imaging of optic nerves in optic neuritis.

Magnetic resonance imaging of optic nerves was obtained in 13 patients with acute optic neuritis and in 13 patients with a previous history of optic neuritis (ON), assessed by clinical, visual fields and visual evoked potentials evaluations. Results of the conventional short tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequence obtained with short time echo (STE-STIR: 22 ms) were compared with long time echo (LTE-STIR: 80 ms) sequence. The conventional STE-STIR sequence revealed lesions in 78.5% of acute ON and in 58.8% of optic nerves affected by previous ON. The LTE-STIR sequence was diagnostic in 92.8% of acutely symptomatic nerves, in 94.1% of nerves with previous ON. The calculated length of optic nerve lesions was significantly longer in imaging obtained with the LTE-STIR sequence than with the conventional STE-STIR sequences, both in acute and previous ON.

Adult↗

Enzyme histochemical changes in retinal ganglion cells and the optic nerve after goldfish optic nerve lesion. A regenerative and hypertrophic phenomena study.

After sectioning of the goldfish optic nerve a number of enzyme histochemical changes are observed in the hypertrophied retinal ganglion cells and in the optic nerve. Between one and eighteen days postoperatively an increase in the amount of acid phosphatase reaction product is noted. The enhanced activity decreased to normal first in the optic nerve, followed by the optic tract and tectum. Four days postoperatively higher levels of activity were noted in the hypertrophic retinal ganglion cells for the enzymes NADH tetrazolium reductase, cytochrome oxidase, glutamate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase. The same enzymes also showed an activity increase in the lesioned optic nerve after four to ten days postoperatively, beginning at the cut and gradually spreading towards the optic tectum. Between fifteen and eighteen days the activity dropped to normal in the hypertrophic retinal ganglion cells, while in the lesioned nerve raised levels of reaction products could be seen till days thirty-five and/or forty-five. It was concluded that the degeneration of the optic pathway is marked by the increase of acid phosphatase activity, whereas the process of regeneration is characterized by an increase of NADH tetrazolium reductase, cytochrome oxidase, glutamate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase activities. The possible functional implications of these enzymes in the regenerative phenomena are discussed.

Animals↗

Long time echo STIR sequence magnetic resonance imaging of optic nerves in optic neuritis.

Magnetic resonance images of optic nerves were obtained in 20 patients with acute optic neuritis (ON), and assessed by means of clinical, visual field and visual evoked potential evaluations; the imaging was repeated 1 year later. The results of the conventional Short Tau Inversion Recovery (STIR) sequence obtained using short time echo (STE-STIR: 22 msec) were compared with those of the long time echo sequence (LTE-STIR: 80 msec). The conventional STE-STIR sequence revealed lesions in 57.2% cases of acute ON and in 42.9% of the optic nerves affected by previous ON; the LTE-STIR sequence was diagnostic in 95.2% of acute ON cases and in 85% of patients with previous ON. The calculated length of the optic nerve lesions was significantly longer in the images obtained using the LTE-STIR sequence than in those obtained using conventional STE-STIR sequences.

Adult↗

Carcinoma of the breast metastatic to the optic nerve mimicking an optic nerve sheath meningioma: case report and review of the literature.

Isolated metastatic tumors to the optic nerve are extremely rare. We describe a rare and unusual case of metastatic breast carcinoma to the optic nerve that mimicked an optic nerve sheath meningioma in its presentation due to its indolent symptom progression, initial radiological appearance, and minimal growth on serial imaging. The patient, a 46-year-old woman with a history of stable metastatic breast carcinoma, presented with progressive visual loss in her right eye over a 6-month interval. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an enhancing lesion in the optic canal with an extension to the right anterior clinoid process and planum sphenoidale and into the right orbital apex, consistent with the presumptive diagnosis of optic nerve sheath meningioma. The tumor was resected and pathologically confirmed to be metastatic carcinoma of the breast. The clinical course, radiological features, surgical approach, and treatment strategies are reviewed.

Case Reports↗

Glial-neuronal interactions in non-synaptic areas of the brain: studies in the optic nerve.

Optic nerves, like other CNS tracts, consist of axons closely apposed across narrow extracellular clefts to the cell bodies and processes of glial cells. Despite the anatomical simplicity of these pathways and the absence of synapses, a surprising range of interactions occurs between axons and glial cells mediated by changes in the chemical composition of the extracellular fluid produced by glial or neuronal stimulation. Some of the interactions are relatively brief, resulting from alterations in extracellular ions such as K+ or H+, or alterations of small molecules like glutamate or ATP. Other interactions involve much longer time periods and presumably larger signaling molecules, like peptides or proteins. These play a role not only in the development of axonal pathways but also in the processes of degeneration and regeneration that follow brain injury or disease.

Animals↗

Transient axonal side branches in the developing mammalian optic nerve.

Optic axons were labelled with horseradish peroxidase to establish the presence of side branches and examine their distribution and morphology in the developing optic nerve of the quokka wallaby, Setonix brachyurus, the cat and rat at stages when axon numbers are at their peak. In each species, three quarters of the axons were essentially straight and lacked side branches. The remaining axons took significantly longer paths and bore side branches, mostly at points where axons undulated or changed direction. Side branches occurred at intervals of 28-43 micron, had lengths of 2-3 micron and were usually simple rather than branched. A minority (1%) of the axons crossed diagonally between fascicles and two thirds of these had more side branches (interval: 10-18 microm) on the interfascicular portion than were found on the forward-directed axons. A small number of axons (0.01%) doubled back to grow retrogradely towards the eye, these axons also bore relatively more side branches (interval: 8-22 micron), especially at points where the axons changed direction. Ultrastructural reconstruction showed that side branches resembled small axonal profiles and constituted 2% of the total axon number. It is suggested that side branches are involved in the fine-tuning of growth cone navigation. Most side branches are lost by adulthood, indicating their transient nature. The absence of retrogradely-directed axons from adults suggests that cells with such axons are removed by naturally occurring cell death.

Age Factors↗

Evaluation of macular thickness measurements for detection of band atrophy of the optic nerve using optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ability of optical coherence tomography (OCT) macular thickness parameters to differentiate between eyes with band atrophy (BA) of the optic nerve and healthy eyes. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 1 eye of each of 40 consecutive patients with BA of the optic nerve and permanent temporal hemianopic visual field (VF) defects owing to chiasmal compression and 31 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects. METHODS: All patients underwent VF assessment with kinetic Goldmann perimetry and Humphrey 24-2 full-threshold standard automated perimetry (SAP). Macular and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness scans were obtained using the commercially available Stratus OCT. The severity of VF defect in patients with BA was evaluated by the temporal mean defect (TMD), calculated as the average of the 22 values of the temporal total deviation plot of the SAP 24-2 test, excluding the 2 points immediately above and below the blind spot. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and sensitivities at fixed specificities were calculated for each parameter. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the relationship between RNFL and macular thickness parameters and severity of VF loss as measured by the TMD. RESULTS: The macular thickness parameters related to the nasal hemiretina had the best performance to detect damage in BA eyes. No statistically significant difference (P = 0.19) was found between the ROC curve areas (AUCs) for the best macular thickness parameter (temporal/nasal macular thickness, AUC = 0.96) and the best RNFL parameter (average thickness, AUC = 0.99). Lower values of TMD, indicating more severe VF loss, were associated with lower macular thickness measurements. The highest correlation was observed for the parameter nasal average macular thickness (rho = 0.693, R2 = 48%, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Eyes with BA of the optic nerve show significant thinning of the retinal thickness on the nasal macular area, which is associated with the severity of VF damage in these eyes. Macular thickness measurements could potentially be used to evaluate the amount of ganglion cell loss in patients with BA of the optic nerve and could prove clinically useful for detection of damage and for monitoring these patients.

Adolescent↗

Surgical lesions of the intracranial optic nerves and optic chiasm.

Compressive tumors and vascular lesions affecting the intracranial optic nerves and optic chiasm are of interest to both the neurosurgeon and the neuro-ophthalmologist. Common types of tumors that occur in the chiasmal and parasellar regions are discussed in terms of their course, neuro-ophthalmologic implications, and surgical treatment by the transsphenoidal approach as opposed to the standard subfrontal approach. Vascular lesions that cause visual distrubances, including intracranial aneurysms and arteries acting as compressive lesions of the chiasm and nerves or in conjunction with tumors, are discussed.

Aneurysm↗

Age-related fiber order in the ferret's optic nerve and optic chiasm.

Although the mammalian optic tract shows a grouping of fibers by age, with newer fibers nearer the pial surface, the possible rules for fiber ordering in the mammalian optic nerve have not been well defined. In this study, preferential labeling of the older retinal fibers in the ferret, a close relative of the cat, shows that the age-related fiber order in the ferret's optic tract reflects a systematic sorting of fibers by age that occurs in the optic nerve, and that is maintained through the optic chiasm. The older retinofugal fibers, dispersed throughout the nerve near the retina, come to be limited to the perimeter of the nerve as it passes through the optic foramen, while newer fibers come to lie nearest the center of the nerve. These newest fibers approach the ventral surface of the brain nearer the optic chiasm. In the chiasm, as in the tract, the oldest fibers lie furthest from the pial surface of the brain, while newer fibers lie nearer the surface. The age-related fiber ordering in the ferret's optic nerve, with the newest fibers initially being furthest from the surface at the optic foramen, differs from age-related orderings seen in nonmammalian vertebrates, where the newest fibers are always nearest the surface. The changing patterns of fiber ordering along the ferret's optic nerve may relate to changes in the underlying glial structure of the developing nerve.

Age Factors↗

Visual function in patients with optic nerve pallor (optic atrophy).

This cross-sectional study assessed the relationship between the degree of optic nerve pallor (optic atrophy) and visual function. Using a set of "gold standard" stereoscopic slides, the severity of optic atrophy for 270 eyes, each having sustained a bout of optic neuropathy, was graded. Good visual acuity was found in 55/86 (64.0%) mild, 54/119 (45.4%) moderate, and 21/65 (32.3%) marked optic atrophy eyes. Good visual field was found in 6/28 (21.4%) mild, 4/43 (9.3%) moderate, and 2/28 (7.1%) marked optic atrophy eyes. Good color vision was found in 31/46 (67.4%) mild, 12/62 (19.4%) moderate, and 7/31 (22.6%) marked optic atrophy eyes. A significant rank correlation was observed between optic atrophy and visual acuity (P < 0.001; rs = 0.356), visual field (P < 0.001; rs = -0.398), and color vision (P < 0.001; rs = -0.492). As the graded severity of optic atrophy increases, the proportion of eyes with good visual function decreases. Visual field, rather than visual acuity or color vision, appears to be a better indicator of the severity of visual loss, when optic atrophy is present.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗

Unilateral congenital oculomotor nerve palsy, optic nerve hypoplasia and pituitary malformation: a preliminary report.

A newborn male presented with complete external third nerve palsy of his right eye immediately at birth. Pediatric examination and MRI of the skull revealed no abnormalities. At the age of six weeks, strabismus surgery was performed to facilitate amblyopia treatment. The muscles appeared small and fibrotic. At the age of ten weeks, a brow suspension of the upper lid and a second strabismus surgery were performed. The amblyopia treatment and patching, applied for half of the waking hours over a period of six weeks, were unsuccessful. At the age of six months, a relative pallor of the right optic nerve head became evident. At the age of three years, at a new examination because of growth deficiency, a second MRI revealed defects involving the pituitary region. We concluded that extraocular muscle abnormality or oculomotor nerve palsy was present together with optic nerve dysplasia and pituitary gland malformation.

Amblyopia↗

An electron microscopic study on the blood-optic nerve and fluid-optic nerve barrier.

Utilizing horseradish peroxidase as a tracer, electron microscopic studies were done on the blood-optic nerve and fluid-optic nerve barrier to the peroxidase diffusion. Following intravenous injection the peroxidase was observed to fill the lumen of the capillaries of the laminar, prelaminar and orbital portions of the optic nerve but there was no penetratation of the capillary walls. The obstruction of the tracer diffusion out of capillary walls was attributed to the tight junctions between the endothelial cells. Peroxidase penetration was also absent in the capillaries of the pia and dura mater, however, was observed in pinocytotic vesicles of the endothelial cells. Lateral diffusion from the surrounding choroid into the optic nerve was detected but diffusion from the prelaminar optic nerve into the juxta-optic nerve retina was prevented by the Kuhnt intermediary tissue. Tight junctions which prevented peroxidase diffusion were found between the glial cells of the Kuhnt tissue, and this tissue was the barrier between the prelaminar optic nerve and the juxta-optic nerve retina. Peroxidase which was given into the lateral ventricle of the brain appeared in the subarachnoidal space around the optic nerve and penetrated freely into the optic nerve. The pial surface of the optic nerve possess no barrier activity. Peroxidase could be traced along the intercellular space between glial cells and optic nerve fibers. The basal lamina of the optic nerve capillaries was filled with peroxidase but diffusion into the capillary lumen was obstructured by the tight junctions between the endothelial cells.

Animals↗

Isolated optic nerve lymphoma diagnosed by optic nerve biopsy.

PURPOSE: To report a case of isolated optic nerve lymphoma diagnosed by optic nerve biopsy. DESIGN: Case report. METHODS: A 66-year-old woman was referred to the Neuro-Ophthalmology Service because of a decrease in visual acuity and right optic disk edema. RESULTS: A magnetic resonance image of the brain showed only enhancement of the optic nerve. An examination that included ANA, c-ANCA, p-ANCA, Lyme titers, FTA-ABS, ACE level, chest x-ray, and lumbar puncture was negative. Because of rapid progression on clinical examination and serial imaging, an optic nerve biopsy was performed, which showed B-cell lymphoma. CONCLUSION: Optic nerve lymphoma can be confused with a variety of inflammatory and neoplastic infiltrations of the optic nerve on clinical and radiographic examinations. Optic nerve biopsy can be valuable in diagnosing isolated optic nerve lymphoma if other diagnostic tests are unrevealing, but the procedure carries considerable risk of loss of visual acuity and should be recommended judiciously.

Aged↗

Biplexiform ganglion cells in the retina of the perciform fish Pholidapus dybowskii revealed by HRP labeling from the optic nerve and optic tectum.

Using retrograde HRP labeling from the optic nerve (ON) or optic tectum (OT), we have visualized biplexiform cells in wholemounted retinas of the stichaeid fish Pholidapus dybowskii and studied their morphology and spatial properties. Biplexiform cells labeled from the ON were similar in their morphology to biplexiform cells found in other fishes. Their distribution across the retina was non-random and independent of that of other large ganglion cell types. Biplexiform cells labeled from the OT, too, formed non-random mosaics, whose spatial properties suggested that most or all biplexiform cells project to the OT in this species. We propose that biplexiform cells in Pholidapus are homologous to biplexiform cells in other fishes (lower vertebrates). Pholidapus biplexiform cells may participate in the tectum-mediated visual reactions.

Animals↗