Measuring optic nerve sheath diameter using ultrasonography in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Abstract

Background: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is primarily a disorder of obese young women characterized by symptoms associated with raised intracranial pressure in the absence of a space-occupying lesion. Objective: To compare the mean optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measured using ultrasonography (USG) in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and normal healthy individuals. Methods: A prospective study. Ninety-seven participants aged 18-80 years were divided into two groups as patients with IIH (n=47) and the control group (n=50). The ONSD was measured using ultrasound with a 10-MHz probe. ONSD was measured 3 mm behind the optic disc. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine patients with IIH using ONSD. Results: Body mass index was higher in the IIH group compared with the control group (p=0.001). The mean ONSD was statistically significantly thicker in the IIH group (6.4 mm) than in the control group (4.90 mm). The cut-off value of ONSD in patients with IIH was measured as 5.70 mm. There was a significant negative correlation between ONSD and age (r:-0.416 and p<0.001). There was a positive correlation between BMI and ONSD (r: 0.437 and p<0.001). Conclusions: Ultrasound can be a reliable, non-invasive and rapid tool to measure ONSD in monitoring patients with IIH. After the first diagnosis of IIH, based on neuroimaging and measuring intracranial pressure using invasive methods, ONSD can be used in treatment and follow-up.

Resumo

Antecedentes: A hipertensão intracraniana idiopática (HII) é primariamente um distúrbio de mulheres jovens obesas caracterizado por sintomas e sinais associados à pressão intracraniana elevada na ausência de uma lesão ocupante de espaço. Objetivo: Comparar o diâmetro médio da bainha do nervo óptico (ONSD) medido por ultrassonografia (USG) em pacientes com hipertensão intracraniana idiopática (HII) e indivíduos normais e saudáveis. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo. Noventa e sete participantes com idade entre 18-80 anos foram divididos em dois grupos: pacientes com HII (n=47) e o grupo controle (n=50). O ONSD foi medido por ultrassonografia com uma sonda de 10 MHz. O ONSD foi medido 3 mm atrás do disco óptico. A análise da curva ROC foi realizada para determinar pacientes com HII usando-se o ONSD. Resultados: O índice de massa corporal foi maior no grupo HII comparado ao grupo controle (p=0,001). O ONSD médio foi estatística e significativamente mais espesso no grupo HII (6,4 mm) do que no grupo controle (4,90 mm). O valor de corte do ONSD em pacientes com HII foi medido em 5,70 mm. Houve correlação negativa significativa entre ONSD e idade (r:-0,416 ep<0,001). Houve correlação positiva entre IMC e ONSD (r: 0,437 ep<0,001). Conclusões: A ultrassonografia pode ser uma ferramenta confiável, não invasiva e rápida para medir o ONSD no monitoramento de pacientes com HII. Após o primeiro diagnóstico de HII, com base em neuroimagem e na medida da pressão intracraniana por métodos invasivos, o ONSD pode ser utilizado no tratamento e acompanhamento.

Keywords:

Pseudotumor Cerebri - Ultrasonography - Optic Nerve

Palavras-chave:

Pseudotumor Cerebral - Ultrassonografia - Nervo Óptico

Authors’ contributions:

KD: is the main author, ophthalmologic evaluation, data collection and statistical evaluations; ME: is the supporting writer, data collection. The authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript.

Publication History

Received: 07 April 2021

Accepted: 15 August 2021

Article published online:
06 February 2023

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