Determination of the effect of a single hemodialysis session on retrobulbar blood hemodynamics by color Doppler ultrasonography

Background: Retrobulbar hemodynamic alterations can occur during hemodialysis sessions, and patients with chronic renal failure may experience visual problems.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of single-session hemodialysis on retrobulbar vessel hemodynamics by color Doppler ultrasonography.

Material and Methods: Thirty-five patients were included in the study. Retrobulbar blood flows were examined before and after dialysis sessions. Doppler spectral patterns of retrobulbar blood flow were evaluated. The t test for paired samples and the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test were used for comparing the flow values before and after dialysis.

Results: Systolic and diastolic blood flow velocities of the ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, central retinal vein, nasal posterior ciliary artery, and temporal posterior ciliary artery were found to be decreased bilaterally after hemodialysis sessions. No significant change was observed in resistivity index values after hemodialysis sessions.

Conclusion: Our findings reveal that retrobulbar circulation was disturbed after a single hemodialysis session.     

彩色多普勒对视网膜脱离血液动力学研究

目的 :利用彩色多普勒技术评价视网膜脱离 (RD)患者球后血流动力学变化。方法 :视网膜脱离患者 3 5例 ,55只眼。对照组 2 6例 ,51只眼。彩色多普勒超声指导下 ,采用脉冲多普勒超声检测眼动脉 (OA)、视网膜中央动脉 (CRA)、睫状后动脉(PCA)收缩期 (PSV)、舒张期 (ESV)、平均血流速度 (AV)及阻力指数 (RI)、搏动指数 (PI)。结果 :RD与对照组的OA血流速度无明显差异 (P >0 .0 5) ;CRA、PCA的PSV、EDV、AV血流速度均减低 (P <0 .0 5) ;PI、RI值无显著性差异 (P >0 .0 5)。结论 :视网膜脱离的血流动力学的变化直接影响到视网膜的微循环状态。彩色多普勒超声可正确评估球后血流灌注情况与病变的关系 ,较传统的荧光血管造影法更为直接和敏感 ,为视网膜脱离的基础研究及药物辅助治疗提供了重要的依据     

Assessment of wall shear stress in the common carotid artery of healthy subjects using 3.0-tesla magnetic resonance

Background: Wall shear stress (WSS) has been proven to play a critical role in the formation and development of atherosclerotic plaques. Measurement of WSS in vivo is significant for the clinical assessment of atherosclerosis.

Purpose: To assess the magnitude and distribution of local WSS in the common carotid artery (CCA) in vivo using 3.0T magnetic resonance (MR).

Material and Methods: The common carotid artery of eight healthy volunteers was studied using a cine phase-contrast MR sequence. A three-dimensional paraboloid model was applied to fit the velocity profiles, and the WSS values were calculated. The cross-sectional area, average flow velocity, maximum velocity, and flow rate were also obtained.

Results: Mean WSS was 0.850±0.195 (range 0.132-3.464) N/m² for the common carotid arteries; the spatial and temporal distribution and change of WSS were displayed. During a cardiac cycle, the mean velocity was 22.8±3.5 (16.9-28.3) cm/s, blood flow rate 8.03±1.45 (5.73-10.72) ml/s, and luminal vessel area 34.94±7.06 (24.25-49.01) mm².

Conclusion: Local WSS values in CCAs can be measured using 3.0T MR imaging combined with image-processing techniques. Intersubject variations were found in the distribution and magnitude of wall shear stress as well as in the flow profile pattern in CCAs, which may be caused by different vessel morphologies.     

彩色多普勒超声对缺血性视乳头病变早期血流动力学的研究

目的:探讨缺血性视乳头病变早期患者眼血流动力学变化。材料和方法:应用彩色多普勒血流成像(CDFI)技术检测40例患者与36例健康志愿者眼动脉、视网膜中央动脉、睫状后动脉收缩峰值速度(PSV)、舒张末期流速(EDV)、阻力指数(RI)及视网膜中央静脉最大流速(Vmax)。结果:与正常组比较,患者组眼动脉PSV无显著差异(P>0．05), EDV减低、RI增高(P<0．05);视网膜中央动脉PSV、EDV减低,RI增加(P<0．05);睫状后动脉PSV、EDV明显减低, RI明显增加(P<0．01);视网膜中央静脉Vmax减低(P<0．05)。结论:CDFI可评估缺血性视乳头病变早期眼血流动力学变化,为临床提供诊断信息。     

Doppler ultrasonography findings in ocular Behçet's disease

The aim of this prospective study was to determine and compare the orbital Doppler ultrasonography parameters of patients with Behçet's disease (with or without ocular involvement) with those of healthy subjects. We evaluated ophthalmic artery (OA), central retinal artery, posterior ciliary artery (PCA), central retinal vein, and superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) flow velocities and resistance indices (RIs). Detection of the decreased flow velocities in the OA and SOV and the increased RI in the OA and PCA might allow the identification of active period of patients with Behçet's disease.     

Color Doppler evaluation of the ocular arterial flow changes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

PURPOSE: To evaluate the hemodynamic changes in the extraocular orbital vessels of the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), using color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) technique, and to compare the results with those of healthy control subjects. METHODS: Forty-five patients with COPD and 17 healthy control subjects were included in this study. Patients with COPD were classified according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). Fifteen patients of stage I COPD (mild airflow limitation), stage II COPD (worsening airflow limitation) or stage III COPD (severe airflow limitation) were enrolled into Group I, II and III, respectively. End tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO(2)), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO(2)), pulse rate (PR) and respiratory rate (RR) were measured by using capnograph/pulse oximeter in all patients. Measurements were performed in only one randomly chosen eye of each participant. The peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), and resistance index (RI) were measured in the ophthalmic artery (OA), central retinal artery (CRA), lateral short posterior ciliary artery (LPCA) and medial short posterior ciliary artery (MPCA), using CDU technique. RESULTS: The PSV measurements of the OA were significantly higher in Groups II and III compared to control group (p < 0.01, p < 0.001, respectively). The RI values from OA and CRA were significantly higher in Group II and III than the control group (p < 0.05). The RI values of LPCA and MPCA were also significantly higher in Group II than the control subjects (p < 0.05). When RI values were compared, mean values of LPCA and MPCA were significantly lower in Group III than in Group II (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between Group I and control patients about PSVs, EDVs and RI values of all arteries Statistically significant correlations were found for the EtCO(2) with PSV (r = 0.53, p < 0.01) and EDV (r = 0.51, p < 0.01) of the OA. Statistically significant correlations were also found for the SpO2 with RI (r = -0.34, p < 0.05) in the OA. CONCLUSION: We concluded that COPD is associated with impaired retrobulbar hemodynamics, especially in the ophthalmic artery. Moreover, central retinal and posterior ciliary arteries with increased resistance are also found to be affected when compared with healthy control eyes.     

Investigation of the effect of exhaust particles on ocular blood flow in highway toll collectors using color Doppler ultrasonography

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of exhaust particles on orbital blood flow velocity of the ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, and posterior ciliary artery by color Doppler ultrasonography in highway toll collectors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Color Doppler imaging was used to measure the peak-systolic and end-diastolic flow velocities and resistivity indices of the ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, and posterior ciliary artery in 20 toll collectors and 20 controls. RESULTS: Both the peak-systolic and the end-diastolic flow velocities were decreased in the ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, and posterior ciliary artery, and the resistivity index was increased in the central retinal artery in toll collectors when compared with control groups. Results were considered statistically significant if P<0.05. CONCLUSION: It was determined that the effect of exhaust particles reduced ocular blood flow velocity in toll collectors as measured by color duplex Doppler ultrasonography.     

视网膜中央静脉阻塞与球后血流动力学及血液流变学的临床分析

 目的探讨视网膜中央静脉阻塞(CRVO)患者的视网膜中央动脉(CRA)、眼动脉(OA)的血液动力学、血液流变学改变及其相互关系.方法采用美国AcusN128XP/10彩色多普勒成像(CDI)技术检测33例CRVO患者和33例正常人CRA.OA血流动力学及血液流变学改变.结果CRVO患眼CRA收缩期最大血流速度(Vmax)比对侧眼(P＜0.05)及对照组(P＜0.01)下降,舒张末期最小血流速度(Vmin)比对侧眼及对照组减低(P＜0.05),阻力指数(RI)比对侧眼(P＜0.05)及对照组(P＜0.01)增高.低切率全血比粘度较对照组显著性增高(P＜0.01),并与CRAO患者Vmax(r=-0.641,P＜0.01)、Vmin(r=-0.538),P＜0.01)成负相关.结论CRVO患眼CRA的CDI参数异常,表明动脉血流速度的下降与CRVO发病相关,CRA供血减少是引起视网膜损害的主要原因之一.低切率全血比粘度增高是导致CRVO患眼CRA血流下降因素之一.     

Choroidal structural alterations and choroidal vascularity index in bipolar disorder patients

PurposeThe aim of this study was to compare bipolar disorder (BD) patients with age- and sex-matched healthy individuals in order to assess the choroidal structural alterations, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and retinal changes in BD patients using encanhed depth imaging optic coherence tomography (EDI-OCT).MethodFor this research, 39 eyes of BD patients and 36 eyes of age-matched healthy volunteers were used. Five locations were used to assess the choroidal thickness (CT): subfoveal, 500 µm nasal and 1500 µm nasal to the fovea, 500 µm temporal and 1500 µm temporal to the fovea. Image-J was used to determine the total choroidal area (TCA), luminal area (LA), and choroidal vascularity index (CVI). The Spectralis-OCT device was used to evaluate the central macular thickness (CMT), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and ganglion cell layer (GCL). The data were statistically compared.ResultsBD patients had significantly decreased subfoveal, nasal, and temporal CTs than controls (for all three, p = 0.0001). The results of CMT and GCL were found to be thinner than controls. (for all p = 0.0001) In comparison to the controls, the mean TCA and LA were decreased in the BD group. (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0001, respectively,). Between the RNFL and CVI values in the BD and control groups, there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05).ConclusionThe results of this investigation showed that the retina and choroid of patients with BD had considerable anatomical changes.     

Percutaneous transluminal cutting-balloon angioplasty for hemodialysis access stenoses resistant to conventional balloon angioplasty

Purpose: To examine the value of cutting-balloon percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for hemodialysis access with residual stenosis after conventional balloon PTA.

Material and Methods: Angioplasty with conventional balloons was performed on 48 hemodialysis access stenoses in 28 patients. If the balloon waist still remained at the rated burst pressure, the balloon was reinflated up to three times. Fifteen of 48 stenoses had residual stenoses of more than 30% after conventional balloon PTA. In these 15 stenoses, additional cutting-balloon PTA was performed.

Results: The mean residual percent diameter stenoses before and after conventional balloon PTA were 77.6±3.4% and 48.6±8.5%, respectively. Additional cutting-balloon PTA decreased the mean residual percent diameter to 27.9±10.0%, and the cutting balloon was completely inflated without complication. In 12 patients, the 6-month primary patency rate (±SE) was 90.0% (9.5), and the 1-year primary patency rate (±SE) was 25.0% (14.8).

Conclusion: Additional cutting-balloon PTA was found useful for reducing residual stenosis.     

Retrobulbar ocular blood flow and choroidal vascular changes in patients recovering from COVID-19 infection

BackgroundTo evaluate the effects of COVID-19 infection on the ocular vascular structure including choroidal thickness and retrobulbar blood flow values in comparison with healthy subjects.MethodsNinety eyes of 90 patients were included in this study. Participants were divided into Group 1 (n = 30) with mild COVID-19 infection, Group 2 (n = 31) with moderate disease, and Group 3 with age- and sex-matched healthy subjects (n = 29). Choroidal thickness was measured at the subfoveal area and at 500-µm intervals nasal and temporal to the fovea up to a distance of 1500 µm, using the enhanced depth imaging (EDI) technique of spectral coherence tomography (SD-OCT). The peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), resistive index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI) values of the central retinal artery (CRA) and ophthalmic artery (OA) were evaluated with color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU).ResultsThe choroidal thickness was significantly thinner in Group 1 and Group 2 than in Group 3 at all measurement points (p <0.001). This difference was not present between Group 1 and Group 2 who had COVID-19 disease of different severity (p>0.05).Among the retrobulbar blood flow parameters, OA PSV value was significantly lower in Group 1 and Group 2 compared to Group 3 (p = 0.025, p = 0.016, respectively). However, the CRA PSV and EDV and OA EDV values, and the CRA and OA PI and RI values were not statistically different between the groups (p> 0.05).ConclusionCOVID-19 infection may predispose patients to ocular vascular pathologies by affecting both choroidal and retrobulbar blood flow.     

Computed tomography perfusion of the liver: assessment of pure portal blood flow studied with CT perfusion during superior mesenteric arterial portography

Purpose: To quantitatively assess the portal component of hepatic blood flow using computed tomography (CT) perfusion studies during superior mesenteric arterial portography. Material and Methods: Thirty-four patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis (LC) and 13 patients with liver metastasis without chronic liver disease were enrolled in this study. Ten milliliters of a non-ionic contrast medium (150 mgI) was injected at a rate of 5 ml/s via a catheter placed in the superior mesenteric artery. Single-slice cine CT images at the level of the main trunk or the right/left main trunk of the portal vein were acquired over 40 s. The deconvolution method was then used on these CT images to measure blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), and mean transit time (MTT) in (a) liver parenchyma in patients with HCC and liver cirrhosis; (b) liver parenchyma in patients with liver metastasis without cirrhosis; (c) directly in the HCC; and (d) directly in one of the metastases. Results: In 34 LC patients (a), BF, BV, and MTT in the liver parenchyma were 44.7±24.5 ml/min/100 g, 3.9±2.4 ml/100 g, and 10.9±5.5 s, respectively. In 13 patients without cirrhosis (b), BF, BV, and MTT in the liver parenchyma were 89.6±52.0 ml/min/100 g, 6.3 ±3.2 ml/100 g, and 8.7±3.6 sec, respectively. A significant difference in BF and BV was seen in patients with liver cirrhosis compared to those without cirrhosis. BF, BV, and MTT measured directly in HCC (c) were 6.5±4.5 ml/min/100 g, 0.4±0.4 ml/100 g, and 3.0±3.1 sec respectively, and BF, BV, and MTT in liver metastases (d) were 19.3 ± 21.7 ml/min/100 g, 0.6±0.8 ml/100 g, and 1.8±1.6 s, respectively. Conclusion: CT perfusion studies during superior mesenteric arterial portography allow quantitative assessment of pure portal blood flow in the liver.     

Split renal function in patients with suspected renal artery stenosis: a comparison between gamma camera renography and two methods of measurement with computed tomography

Purpose: To validate a method for calculating split renal function from computed tomography (CT) compared with gamma camera renography, and to test a new method for the measurement based on a volume-rendering technique.

Material and Methods: Thirty-eight patients, aged 65.7±11.6 (range 37.8-82.1) years, who had undergone both CT angiography and gamma camera renography for a suspected renal artery stenosis were included in this study. Split renal function was calculated from the CT examinations by measuring area and mean attenuation in the image slices of the kidneys, and also by measuring volume and mean attenuation from a 3D reconstruction of the kidneys. Gamma camera renography with ^99mTc-MAG3 with or without captopril enhancement was used as a reference.

Results: The 2D CT method had good correlation with renography (r = 0.93). Mean difference was 4.7±3.6 (0-12) percentage points per kidney. There was also excellent correlation between the two CT methods (r = 1.00).

Conclusion: CT is equivalent to renography in determining split renal function, and the measurement from the CT examination can be made more quickly and equally accurately with a 3D technique.     

高通量血液透析对终末期肾衰竭患者细胞免疫、钙磷代谢及β2-MG的影响

 目的 研究高通量血液透析对终末期肾衰竭患者细胞免疫、钙磷代谢以及β₂-微球蛋白(β₂-Microglobulin,β₂-MG)的影响。方法 选取2017-04至2019-04于医院肾内科收治的157例终末期肾衰竭患者作为研究对象,根据患者透析方案进行分组,其中采用高通量血液透析的76例患者作为观察组,采用常规血液透析的81例患者作为对照组,比较两组患者治疗前后生化指标、细胞免疫、β₂-MG以及钙磷代谢情况。结果 治疗后观察组SCr水平明显低于对照组(P＜0.05),观察组BUN、ALB以及Hb水平明显高于对照组(P＜0.05)。治疗后观察组患者血磷、iPTH水平以及β₂-MG水平明显低于对照组(P＜0.05),观察组患者血钙明显高于对照组(P＜0.05)。治疗后观察组患者CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺明显高于对照组(P＜0.05)。观察组患者治疗后生活质量评分明显高于对照组(P＜0.05)。结论 高通量血液透析能够改善终末期肾衰竭患者机体的免疫功能、钙磷代谢以及β₂-MG情况,可作为临床改善终末期肾衰竭患者生活质量以及延长生存期的有效治疗措施。     

Accessory renal artery stenosis and hypertension: are these correlated? Evaluation using multidetector-row computed tomographic angiography

Background: Renal artery stenosis may produce hypertension, and this condition is referred to as renovascular hypertension (RVH).

Purpose: To evaluate, by using multidetector-row spiral computed tomographic angiography (MDCTA), whether a relationship between accessory renal artery stenosis and hypertension may be hypothesized.

Material and Methods: 214 patients (142 males, 72 females; mean age 66 years) who had previously undergone an MDCTA to study the abdominal vasculature were retrospectively studied. Patients with renal artery stenosis (RAS) were excluded from this analysis. The patients were studied by means of a four-detector-row CT, and scans were obtained after intravenous bolus administration of 110-140 ml of a nonionic contrast material with a 3-6 ml/s flow rate. As a second step, by means of statistical analysis, hypertension data were compared with findings of accessory artery stenosis. Two radiologists first independently reviewed the MDCTA images and then, in case of disagreement, in consensus. Interobserver agreement was calculated for all measurements.

Results: The overall number of detected accessory renal arteries was 74 in 56 of the 214 patients. Accessory renal artery stenosis was detected in 21 of the 56 patients. There was a difference in the prevalence of hypertension between patients with (n = 21) and without (n = 35) accessory renal artery stenosis (P = 0.0187). Interobserver agreement was good (kappa value 0.733).

Conclusion: Any statistical association between the presence of accessory renal artery stenosis and hypertension could not be disclosed. However, accessory renal artery stenosis, detected by MDCTA, is an important pathological sign that the radiologist has to assess in the light of its possible association with hypertension.     

Colour Doppler ultrasound evaluation of orbital vessels in diabetic retinopathy

The aim of this study was to determine the role of colour Doppler imaging in the retrobulbar vascular circulation in diabetic retinopathy (DR). Maximum (V(max)), end-diastolic (V(min)) and average (V(mean)) velocities of blood flows and pulsatility index and resistivity index (RI) in central retinal artery (CRA), short branches of posterior ciliary artery (PCA) and ophthalmic artery of the 65 diabetic and 22 control eyes were measured. The CRA V(max) level in the control group was significantly higher than in DR groups. The CRA V(mean) level was also significantly higher in the control group than in the mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and the moderate NPDR groups. The CRA RI value was significantly higher in the control group than in the nonretinopathy group. The CRA V(min) and the ophthalmic artery RI values were found significantly higher in the nonretinopathy group than in the moderate NPDR group. There were significant decreases in the some CRA and PCA values as glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels increase in diabetic group. There was a positive correlation between the duration of diabetes and HbA1c levels. This study showed the presence of some dynamic circulatory alterations in the nonretinopathy group with diabetes and DR groups. It was also shown that there is a negative correlation between HbA1c and some orbital vascular velocities.     

彩色多普勒超声对糖尿病眼底微循环障碍及其慢性并发症评估的临床意义

目的:探讨彩色多普勒超声对2型糖尿病患者视网膜及脉络膜的微循环改变评估的临床意义。方法:将我院2型糖尿病患者分为糖尿病不伴视网膜病变组(NDR组)、非增殖性视网膜病变组(NPR组)、增殖性视网膜病变组(PR组)和对照组。应用彩色多普勒和脉冲多普勒成像技术对视网膜睫状后短动脉(PCA)、中央动脉(CRA)的血流动力学情况进行监测,同时检测其空腹血糖、糖化血红蛋白等生化指标。结果:NDR组动脉频谱呈S1、S2、S3三峰双切迹,NPR组和PR组为S峰降低,波形圆钝呈半圆形,D峰低平、宽大;4组间CRA的收缩期峰值流速(PSV)、舒张末期血流速度(EDV)和RI差异有统计学意义(F=13.21,11.34,9.85,P<0.05);CRA的PSV、EDV与空腹血糖(FBG)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)、胰岛素抵抗指数、24h尿蛋白呈正相关关系,CRA的RI与FBG、HbA1c、胰岛素抵抗指数、24h尿蛋白呈负相关关系(P<0.05)。结论:CDFI能监测眼底血流动力学参数的变化,评价眼底微循环的变化,早期发现糖尿病眼底病变。     

Choroidal vascularity index in adult patients with familial meditteranean fever

PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate choroidal vascular status by the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) in adult patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) in remission period.Materials-methods86 patients diagnosed with FMF and 54 healthy controls were recruited in this study. Retinal, ganglion cell complex and peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thicknesses were obtained using Spectralis domain-optical coherence (SD-OCT) tomography. Choroid images were obtained with the enhanced depth imaging mode of SD-OCT, and binarization was applied to the images using ImageJ software. CVI was described as the proportion of the luminal area to the total choroidal area. Blood-derived inflammation markers were calculated by the complete blood count.ResultsThe subfoveal choroidal thickness and nasal and temporal directions from fovea centralis at 500 μm, 1000 μm and 1500 μm were reduced in patients with FMF in comparison to healthy controls (p<0.001, each comparison). CVI was significantly decreased in patients with FMF compared to controls (62.28±2.2 and 64.79±4.3, p<0.001).ConclusionWe concluded that the choroidal vasculature structure may be affected prior to retinal changes in patients with FMF.     

Abnormal default-mode network activation in cirrhotic patients: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Background: Recently, increasing numbers of studies have demonstrated that, in humans, a default-mode functional network exists in the resting state. Abnormal default-mode network in various diseases has been reported; however, no report concerning hepatic cirrhosis has been published to date.

Purpose: To prospectively explore whether the resting-state network in patients with hepatic cirrhosis is abnormal or not, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Material and Methods: 14 patients with hepatic cirrhosis (12 male, two female; 45±9 years) and 14 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers (12 male, two female; 42±10 years) participated in a blocked-design fMRI study. A modified Stroop task with Chinese characters was used as the target stimulus. Statistical Parametric Mapping 99 software was employed to process the functional data. Individual maps and group data were generated for patients with hepatic cirrhosis and for healthy controls, respectively. Intergroup analysis between patients and healthy controls was also generated using the two-sample t-test model. Cluster analyses were done based on the group data, and an identical P value ≤0.01 with continuously connected voxels of no less than 10 was defined as significant deactivation. After fMRI scanning was complete, behavioral Stroop interference tests were performed on all subjects; reaction time and error number were recorded.

Results: Functionally, deactivation of the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and precuneus was absent when subjects performed the incongruous word-reading task; deactivation of the PCC, precuneus, and ventral medial prefrontal cortex was increased when they performed the incongruous color-naming task.

Conclusion: The functional as well as behavioral data suggest that cirrhotic patients may have an abnormal deactivation mode. The absence of deactivation in the PCC and precuneus may be a sensitive rather than specific marker in patients with hepatic cirrhosis.     

Analysis of choroidal vascularity index in multiple sclerosis patients without optic neuritis attack

BackgroundTo evaluate the choroidal structural changes in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients without previous optic neuritis (ON) attacks.MethodsForty eyes of 20 MS patients without a history of ON and 40 eyes of 20 age-matched healthy volunteers were included in this study. The choroidal thickness (CT) was measured at three points; subfoveal, 1500 µm nasal to the fovea, and 1500 µm temporal to the fovea. Choroidal area (CA), luminal area (LA), and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) were calculated using ImageJ.ResultsThe mean subfoveal, nasal and temporal CT were decreased in MS patients compared to controls (for all, p < 0.001). The mean LA was 0.572 ± 0.113 mm² in MS group, and 0.729 ± 0.188 mm² in controls (p = 0.002). The mean CVI was decreased in the MS group (69.38% ± 4.87) in comparison to the controls (73.41% ± 5.18) (p = 0.034).ConclusionThe current study demonstrated significant anatomical alterations of the choroid in the eyes of patients with MS.