23 June 2009
Blood flow disturbances in the central retinal artery in patients with traumatic optic neuropathy
Andrzej UstymowiczABCDEFG, Zenon MariakCDE, Iwona ObuchowskaABF, Zofia MariakAB, Jan KochanowiczCMed Sci Monit 2009; 15(7): CR366-371 :: ID: 869712
Abstract
Background
Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is a serious sequel of head trauma, leading even to loss of vision. Experimental studies suggest that vascular factors contribute to the pathogenesis of TON. Thus the purpose of this study was to explore associations between blood flow Doppler parameters in the central retinal artery (CRA) and optic nerve function in patients after closed head trauma.
Material and Method
Blood flow was evaluated by color-coded duplex sonography (CCDS) in the CRA of 72 consecutive patients (57 males and 15 females, mean age: 40+/-14.5, range: 15-77 years) with a diagnosis of traumatic optic neuropathy. Of the 101 affected eyes, optic nerve atrophy was found in 87 whereas the optic disc had normal appearance in the remaining 14 eyes.
Results
Both peak-systolic velocity (PSV) and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) in the eyes with TON were significantly lower (26% and 20%, respectively, p<0.01) than those in age- and gender-matched healthy subjects. A statistically significant decrease in PSV was also noted in the CRA of the contralateral unaffected eye (9%, p<0.05). A statistically significant positive association was found between blood flow velocities in the CRA and visual acuity (p<0.01) after controlling for sex, side of symptoms, and blood pressure.
Conclusions
Blood flow is significantly decreased in the central retinal artery of the affected eye and slightly in the unaffected eye in patients with traumatic optic neuropathy. Hemodynamic disturbances within the central retinal artery concur with functional nerve impairment.
Keywords: Retinal Artery - ultrasonography, Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color, Regional Blood Flow, Optic Nerve Injuries - ultrasonography, Adolescent, Accidents, Visual Acuity - physiology
Editorial
01 April 2024 : Editorial
Editorial: Forty Years of Waiting for Prevention and Cure of HIV Infection – Ongoing Challenges and Hopes for Vaccine Development and Overcoming Antiretroviral Drug ResistanceDOI: 10.12659/MSM.944600
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944600
In Press
06 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Comparison of Outcomes between Single-Level and Double-Level Corpectomy in Thoracolumbar Reconstruction: A ...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943797
21 Mar 2024 : Meta-Analysis
Economic Evaluation of COVID-19 Screening Tests and Surveillance Strategies in Low-Income, Middle-Income, a...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943863
10 Apr 2024 : Clinical Research
Predicting Acute Cardiovascular Complications in COVID-19: Insights from a Specialized Cardiac Referral Dep...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942612
06 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Enhanced Surgical Outcomes of Popliteal Cyst Excision: A Retrospective Study Comparing Arthroscopic Debride...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.941102
Most Viewed Current Articles
17 Jan 2024 : Review article
Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron VariantDOI :10.12659/MSM.942799
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799
14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase LevelsDOI :10.12659/MSM.937990
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990
16 May 2023 : Clinical Research
Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952