Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) without previous episodes of optic neuritis (ON).
Methods: :
A total of 26 eyes from 26 patients with LETM and 26 eyes from 26 controls subjects underwent Stratus-OCT and standard automatic perimetry (SAP). The measurements in both groups were compared using Student’s t test. Areas under receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve (AUC) were calculated.
Results: :
In patients with LETM, MD values on SAP were significantly lower than those of the normal group (p < 0.0001). No significantly difference in measurements of RNFL thickness between LETM group and control group was found, except for the nasal 3-o’clock parameters ( and P = 0.006). The higher AUC`s were found for the same parameters ( AUC = 0.73).
Conclusions: :
Patients with LETM can present localized RNFL loss on OCT particularly in the nasal disc area associated with discrete visual field defects, even in absence of previous episodes of optic neuritis. These findings are consistent with optic nerve damage and emphasizes that patients with LETM may experience attacks of subclinical optic neuritis.
Clinical Trial: :
www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT01024985
Keywords: nerve fiber layer • imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound)