Francesca Bolacchi, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Francesco Giuseppe Garaci MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Alessandro Meschini MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Guglielmo Manenti MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Roberto Floris MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Giovanni Simonetti MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate by high field magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (MR-DTI) the axonal degeneration pattern along the human optic nerve in glaucoma patients

Thirty-four patients with primary open-angle glaucoma were studied. Glaucoma severity was clinically assessed by a six stages system based on static threshold visual field parameter). Ten healthy subjects were used as controls. MR-DTI was performed with a 3-Tesla MR scanner. Mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) maps were automatically created. Regions of interest (ROIs) were positioned over the MD and FA maps at different levels of the intraorbital portion of the optic nerve (at the distal portion of optic nerve immediately behind globe, at the midorbital level and at the proximal level).  

The distal portion of the optic nerves of patients with early stage 1 glaucoma had significantly higher MDs and lower FAs with respect to control subjects (p<0.001). Whereas stages 2-3 and stages 4-5 showed higher MDs and lower FAs at midorbital and at proximal level respectively, compared to controls (p<0.001 and p< 0.05).

MR-DTI analysis along the optic nerves suggests that glaucoma is a neuro-disease characterized by progressive anterograde axonal degeneration of the optic nerve fibers.

MR-DTI could play a role to better characterize the patterns of optic nerve degeneration.

Bolacchi, F, Garaci, F, Meschini, A, Manenti, G, Floris, R, Simonetti, G, In Vivo DTI Assessment of Axonal Degeneration Pattern along the Optic Nerve in Glaucoma Patients.  Radiological Society of North America 2010 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2010 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2010/9011797.html