Orbital colour Doppler imaging in carotid-cavernous sinus fistula

Background: Colour Doppler imaging (CDI) is a recent advance in ultrasonography that allows for colour-encoded blood flow data of a vascular structure to be displayed simultaneously on a conventional real-time gray-scale B mode image. Real time A and B mode ultrasonography have been used for diagnostic evaluation of ophthalmic disorders since the early 1960s. The haemodynamic characteristics of the ophthalmic circulation have recently been studied by the use of CDI.
Method: We present three cases of carotid-cavernous sinus fistulas with different presentations. In each case, orbital CDI was used in evaluating the patient's condition.
Results: Orbital CDI was successful in confirming the diagnosis in all three cases. CDI was capable of showing the haemodynamic changes in the orbital vasculature which resulated from carotid-cavernous sinus fistula.
Conclusion: This non-invasive technique presents as an excellent alternative to invasive vascular studies such as angiography for the diagnosis and evaluation of carotid-cavernous sinus fistulas.     

Use of colour Doppler imaging in ocular blood flow research

The main objective of this report is to encourage consistent quality of testing and reporting within and between centres that use colour Doppler imaging (CDI) for assessment of retrobulbar blood flow. The intention of this review is to standardize methods in CDI assessment that are used widely, but not to exclude other approaches or additional tests that individual laboratories may choose or continue to use.     

Agreement among three examiners of colour Doppler imaging retrobulbar blood flow velocity measurements

Purpose: To assess the agreement among three masked examiners on central retinal artery (CRA) and ophthalmic artery (OA) blood flow velocity measurements performed with colour Doppler imaging (CDI) in healthy volunteers. Methods: The study included 30 eyes of 15 healthy volunteers. Prior to the study, all examiners underwent intensive CDI training by an expert to facilitate uniformity in performing measurements according to a specific protocol. Following the eligibility visit, three masked examiners performed CDI measurements assessing the CRA and OA in both eyes of all subjects. All CDI images were analysed by a masked grader. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated for peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end diastolic velocity (EDV) in the CRA and OA among the examiners. p‐values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The study included seven men and eight women (mean age 30.9 ± 4.5 years). In right eyes, ICCs for PSV and EDV in the CRA ranged from 0.917 to 0.961 and from 0.937 to 0.980, respectively. ICCs for PSV and EDV in the OA ranged from 0.802 to 0.926 and from 0.611 to 0.891, respectively. In left eyes, all ICCs for PSV and EDV were >0.9, both in the CRA and the OA. All p‐values calculated for ICCs were statistically significant. Conclusion: Expert training and execution of a specific protocol for CDI of ocular blood flow velocity measurements provide highly reproducible results in healthy volunteers. This is important for long‐term studies assessing ocular hemodynamics, where multiple examiners may be involved.     

Visual outcomes after carotid reconstructive surgery for ocular ischemia

Aims

This study aimed to determine the influence of carotid artery surgery on ocular functions and ocular blood flow in patients with ocular ischaemic syndrome (OIS) in the late postoperative period.

Methods

One hundred and eighty patients with OIS were operated on; 104 of them suffered from acute forms of the ischaemic disease and 76 patients had chronic forms of ocular ischaemia. Before surgery and in the course of 6 months and 12 months afterwards, all the patients were examined. Visual acuity, electrophysiological investigations (the threshold of electrical sensitivity (TES) and the level of liability of optic nerve (LON)) and blood flow in orbital vessels were assessed.

Results

After surgery visual acuity increased in patients with the acute forms of OIS (P<0.05). TES and LON also improved (P<0.01). Mean indices of blood-flow velocities in the ophthalmic artery, the central retinal artery and the posterior ciliary arteries increased at 6 and 12 months after surgery (P<0.05). There was ocular blood flow acceleration and decrease of vasoresistance in orbital arteries in both groups of patients.

Conclusions

Carotid artery surgery effectively improved ocular blood flow in patients with acute and chronic forms of OIS in the late post operative period.     

Classification of Ophthalmic Artery Flow in Patients with Occlusive Carotid Artery Disease

Purpose

To investigate and classify the ophthalmic artery (OA) flow patterns in patients with occlusive carotid artery disease (OCAD).

Methods

Forty-three patients (52 eyes) with documented OCAD of ≧70% underwent orbital color Doppler imaging. The eyes were first divided into four groups by peak systolic velocity in OA (PSV_OA): group A, PSV_OA ≦ 0; group B, 0 < PSV_OA ≦ 10; group C, 10 < PSV_OA ≦ 40; and group D, PSV_OA > 40?cm/s, then further classified by the shape of the OA flow wave. The groups were then compared with respect to the collateral pathway (Co-Path), severity of the OCAD, and systemic diseases.

Results

Eyes with unidirectional reverse flow (group A₁) had a Co-Path from the ipsilateral external carotid artery and 70%–100% OCAD. Eyes with bidirectional reverse flow (group A₂) had no Co-Path, 75% OCAD, and impending ischemic heart disease (IHD). Group B eyes had dome-shaped OA flow waves with no Co-Path and 99%–88% OCAD. Group C₁ eyes, with normal flow waves, had a Co-Path from the contralateral internal carotid artery and 100% OCAD. Group C₂ eyes, with triangular-shaped flow waves, had no Co-Path, 93%–70% OCAD, and IHD. Group D eyes had normal high flow waves with no Co-Path, 75% OCAD, and hypertension.

Conclusions

The OA flow patterns were variously affected by collateral pathway, severity of OCAD, and systemic diseases.?Jpn J Ophthalmol 2006;50:224–228 © Japanese Ophthalmological Society 2006     

Noninvasive Carotid Evaluation Using Pulsed Doppler Imaging for Patients with Ophthalmic Disorders

Pulsed Doppler imaging provides an accurate, noninvasive technique for evaluation of the carotid bifurcation. We have found it useful in evaluating patients with amaurosis fugax and ocular emboli. It can also be used to evaluate blood flow within ocular and orbital tumors. The continuous wave Doppler is useful for detection of abnormal orbital blood flow in patients with dural-cavernous fistulae.     

多焦视网膜电图及彩色多普勒在视网膜脱离术患者中的应用

目的：通过对视网膜脱离患者术前、术后的血流动力学研究及视网膜功能的了解,判断视网膜脱离患者的术后恢复情况,并探讨两种检测方法的临床价值。 方法：对我院62例孔源性视网膜脱离患者,通过彩色多普勒（CDI）检测视网膜中央动脉（CRA）的收缩期峰值流速（Vmax）、舒张末期流速（Vmin）、阻力指数（RI）;多焦视网膜电图（mfERG）分别对视网膜脱离患者的术前、术后进行检测,并以对侧正常眼作对照组。 结果：CDI术前患眼与对照眼的CRA各项指标比较,差异无统计学意义。术后2wk视网膜脱离眼CRA的Vmax,Vmin均较术前降低,RI增高,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。视网膜脱离术后患者脱离区mfERG的a波、b波振幅密度均明显高于术前,潜伏期比手术前明显缩短,有统计学意义（P<0.05）。 结论：通过mfERG,CDI的联合检测能及时了解视网膜脱离术后的视网膜复位情况及硅胶海绵垫压后CRA的血流情况,从而避免视网膜脱离术后视网膜部分复位不良,巩膜因缺血引起局部坏死等情况发生。     

Colour Doppler ultrasound imaging findings in paediatric periocular and orbital haemangiomas

Purpose: To evaluate the combined grey‐scale ultrasonography (US) and colour Doppler imaging (CDI) as the first and primary imaging modalities in diagnosing paediatric orbital haemangiomas. Methods: The charts of 20 consecutive children with a periorbital mass echographically diagnosed as a haemangioma between January 2004 and June 2009 in the Tel‐Aviv Sourasky Medical Center were reviewed. Data on demographic details, clinical findings, US and CDI characteristics, treatment and outcome were retrieved. Results: Twelve (60%) haemangiomas were located on the upper eyelid, five in the lower eyelid (25%) and three in the medial cantus (15%). The tumour resolved completely in 10 children (50%) and in 10 children (50%) partial resolution was documented. Seven (35%) patients underwent treatment (intralesional or oral steroids or propranolol). Grey‐scale US depicted a solid‐tissue mass with low internal echogenicity. Mean haemangioma volume was 1.33 cm³. Colour Doppler imaging demonstrated intralesional flow with a mean peak systolic velocity of 15.2 cm per second and a mean resistance index of 0.51. All US and CDI examinations were carried out on alert children and no sedation or general anaesthesia was needed. During mean follow‐up time of 23 months, no child required any additional imaging or diagnostic procedures to confirm the diagnosis. Conclusion: Combined US and CDI are suggested as the first imaging modalities in cases with a suspected diagnosis of periocular and orbital capillary haemangioma.     

Arterial blood flow characteristics in central retinal vein occlusion and effects of panretinal photocoagulation treatment: an investigation by colour Doppler imaging

AIMS: To determine whether an increase in vascular resistance in the central retinal and ophthalmic arterial circulations contributes to the development of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), or haemodynamic alterations in central retinal and ophthalmic arteries occur secondary to the vein occlusion as increased intravascular pressure is transferred through the capillary bed to the arterial side and the effect of panretinal photocoagulation treatment on these circulations in ischaemic cases. METHODS: The ophthalmic and central retinal arteries of the affected and non-affected eyes of 20 patients with non-ischaemic CRVO, 13 patients with ischaemic CRVO, and 22 control subjects were investigated by colour Doppler imaging. Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) treatment was applied to the eyes with ischaemic CRVO. Maximum and minimum blood flow velocities, and resistivity indexes were calculated in the affected and healthy eyes of patients and in the control eyes. RESULTS: Average blood flow velocity in the central retinal and ophthalmic arteries of patients with non-ischaemic CRVO did not differ from their fellow eyes, but a significantly lower average blood flow velocity was found in the ophthalmic and central retinal arteries of the patients with ischaemic CRVO compared with their fellow eyes. Patients with ischaemic CRVO had significantly lower blood flow velocities in their ophthalmic and central retinal arteries than non-ischaemic cases that were further reduced following PRP treatment. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that impaired arterial blood flow observed in patients with CRVO may be partly related to secondary changes in the retrobulbar arterial circulation as a result of enhanced arterial resistance following CRVO. These data also demonstrate that PRP treatment decreases retinal and ophthalmic blood flow velocities in patients with ischaemic CRVO.     

应用彩色多普勒血流成像技术对后部缺血性视神经病变的研究

目的:探讨后部缺血性视神经病变(posterior ischenic optic neuropathy,PION)患者颈动脉及眼血流动力学的改变。方法:应用彩色多普勒血流成像技术(color Doppler flow imaging,CDFI)观察14例19眼PION患者,检测颈总动脉和颈内动脉影像学特征、睫状后动脉(posterior ciliary arteries,PCAs)和视网膜中央动脉(central retinal artery,CRA)血流动力学变化,与患者未受累一侧眼进行比较。结果:14例PION患者中12例(86%)表现为双侧颈总动脉和颈内动脉内膜粗糙、增厚,9例(64%)探查到血管壁斑块回声,硬斑5例,混合斑5例,软斑3例;PCAs的收缩期峰值速度(peaksy stolic velocity,PSV)为27.60±16.7cm/s,阻力指数(resistance index,RI)为0.84±0.038,与对照眼比较PSV无显著降低,RI明显增高(t=2.116,P<0.05);CRA的PSV为11.51±3.47cm/s,RI为0.75±0.036,与对照眼比较PSV无差异,RI增高非常明显(t=2.862,P<0.01)。结论:PION的发生主要与颈动脉粥样硬化导致的颈动脉系统血流变化有关,CDFI对明确PION诊断有重要的应用价值。     

经颅多普勒超声观察单侧重度颈内动脉狭窄时眼动脉血流改变

目的　通过经颅多普勒超声（ｔｒａｎｓｃｒａｎｉａｌＤｏｐｐｌｅｒ,ＴＣＤ）对单侧重度颈内动脉狭窄（ｉｎｔｅｒｎａｌｃａｒｏｔｉｄａｒｔｅｒｙｓｔｅｎｏｓｉｓ,ＩＣＡＳ）的患者进行眼动脉血流的检测,观察眼动脉血流与眼部缺血性疾病及颈内动脉狭窄程度的关系。方法　将经颈动脉彩色多普勒超声检查确诊为单侧重度ＩＣＡＳ的３１例及颈内动脉完全闭塞的１９例患者纳入研究。利用ＴＣＤ检查ＩＣＡＳ侧眼动脉血流方向、收缩期峰值血流速度（ｐｅａｋｓｙｓｔｏｌｉｃｖｅｌｏｃｉｔｙ,ＰＳＶ）及阻力指数（ｒｅｓｉｓｔａｎｃｅｉｎｄｅｘ,ＲＩ）,对比分析眼动脉逆向血流（ｒｅ-ｖｅｒｓｅｄｏｐｈｔｈａｌｍｉｃａｒｔｅｒｙｆｌｏｗ,ＲＯＡＦ）患眼及对侧眼眼动脉ＰＳＶ及ＲＩ值,同时对眼动脉血流方向与眼部缺血以及ＩＣＡＳ程度的关系进行分析。结果　经ＴＣＤ检查发现ＲＯＡＦ２４眼,其中单侧重度ＩＣＡＳ者９眼,颈内动脉完全闭塞者１５眼,ＲＯＡＦ在颈内动脉完全闭塞组更易出现,差异有统计学意义（χ２＝１１．７６,Ｐ＝０．００１）。２４例ＲＯＡＦ患者的阻塞侧ＰＳＶ值为（３８．６８±１１．５８）ｃｍ?ｓ－１,与健侧的（３３．５３±２．７４）ｃｍ?ｓ－１相比差异有统计学意义（ｔ＝２９．７３,Ｐ＝０．０００）;阻塞侧ＲＩ值为０．６０±０．１０,与健侧的０.７８±０.１０相比差异有统计学意义（ｔ＝－６．２０,Ｐ＝０．０００）。２４只ＲＯＡＦ眼中５８．３％有明确的眼部缺血体征,而２６只正流患侧眼中该比例为１５．４％,ＲＯＡＦ组患眼更容易出现眼部缺血体征（χ２＝９．９９,Ｐ＝０．００２）。利用Ｌｏｇｉｓｔｉｃ回归预测ＲＯＡＦ与眼部缺血的关系:回归系数为０．２１１（χ２＝１２．２６,Ｐ＝０．０００）,ＯＲ值为１．２３５。结论　当出现ＲＯＡＦ时,提示重度ＩＣＡＳ甚至完全闭塞;ＲＯＡＦ的流速越快,提示眼部出现缺血性病变的几率越大。     

眼球缺血综合症患者眼部血流动力学研究

目的检测眼球缺血综合征(OIS)患者颈总动脉、颈内动脉狭窄程度及眼动脉、视网膜中央动脉收缩期血流速峰值(peaksystolicvelocity,PSV),了解其眼部血供特点,通过与正常对照组比较,对其眼血流动力学改变进行探讨。方法应用彩色多谱勒超声成像技术对比研究OIS患者组和正常对照组颈总动脉、颈内动脉、眼动脉、视网膜中央动脉收缩期血流速峰值(PSV)。结果研究组患侧眼动脉PSV为(24.36±5.80)cm/秒,对侧PSV为(30.74±11.00)cm/秒,正常对照组(29.59±4.15)cm/秒,患侧眼动脉PSV明显降低(P<0.05)。研究组患侧视网膜中央动脉PSV为(6.83±2.22)cm/秒,对侧为(10.84±1.00)cm/秒,正常对照组为(11.28±2.42)cm/秒,患侧视网膜中央动脉PSV明显降低(P<0.05)。结论1.眼动脉、视网膜中央动脉收缩期血流速峰值降低是眼球缺血综合征发病的重要机制。2.彩色多谱勒超声成像技术对于定量评价眼球缺血综合征眼部主要血管的血流动力学改变有重要意义。     

彩色多普勒超声在玻璃体积血诊断中的应用

目的:评价高频彩色多普勒超声(color doppler flow imaging,CDFI)在辅助玻璃体积血（vitreous hemorrhage, VH）术前病因诊断中的应用价值。 方法:对20例20眼二维超声图像上表现VH的患眼,通过CDFI和眼底及既往病史进行术前诊断。所有患者均行玻璃体切割手术,结合术中所见和术后荧光素血管造影、吲哚青绿造影进行术后诊断。 结果：VH患眼20例20眼CDFI检出视网膜脱离5例（25%）,视网膜脱离合并脉络膜脱离2眼（10%）,视网膜下出血2眼（10%）。经手术证实,增殖性糖尿病视网膜病变7例（35%）,视网膜中央/分支静脉阻塞7例（35%）,孔源性视网膜脱离3例（15%）,年龄相关性黄斑变性1例（5%）,息肉样脉络膜视网膜病变1例（5%）,Eales病1例（5%）。术前诊断和术后诊断符合率为95%(19/20)。 结论：高频CDFI可辅助VH术前病因判断,并有效地指导临床治疗。     

Color Doppler imaging of orbital vasculature before and after orbital decompression in thyroid eye disease

Purpose: To measure alterations in orbital blood flow parameters using color Doppler imaging (CDI) before and after orbital decompression in patients with moderate to severe thyroid eye disease (TED).

Methods: Resistance index (RI) and maximum and minimum velocity of ophthalmic artery (OA), superior ophthalmic vein (SOV), and central retinal artery (CRA) of 24 eyes (14 patients) with TED were measured before and at least 3 months after cosmetic orbital decompression procedure (single or double walls) using CDI. Complete eye examination was performed to define the severity (EUGOGO classification) and activity (clinical activity score) of TED.

Results: Median OA (p = 0.003) and CRA (p = 0.001) resistance indices were significantly reduced postoperatively. Significant differences were found in maximum (p = 0.001) and minimum (p = 0.014) velocity of SOV before and after surgery. While a significant decrease in exophthalmometry was observed after the orbital decompression (p = 0.031), intraocular pressure changes were not significant (p = 0.182).

Conclusion: Orbital decompression procedure led to a significant reduction of RI in both CRA and OA in patients with TED.     

The effect of axial length on ocular blood flow assessment in anisometropes

BACKGROUND: Pulsatile ocular blood flow (POBF) assessment measures the choroidal circulation and therefore provides data with diagnostic value in certain ocular diseases, such as glaucoma. The technique assumes a constant pressure-volume relationship. The current study investigated the effect of axial length on POBF from subjects with axial anisometropia. Ocular blood supply in the ophthalmic artery was also determined using colour Doppler ultrasonography. METHODS: Thirty-one normal, anisometropic subjects were recruited, whose ages ranged from 20 to 34 years. They had axial anisometropia (expressed by spherical equivalent) of at least 2 D. After Goldmann tonometry, the POBF of each eye was measured in a supine posture by one examiner, followed by a measurement of the blood flow velocity in the ophthalmic artery using colour Doppler ultrasonography in the same posture by another examiner. There was a 10 min rest between the two techniques. All the measurements were made at around the same time to eliminate any effect from diurnal variation. RESULTS: The mean anisometropia (expressed by spherical equivalent) was 3.89 +/- 1.96 D and the mean inter-ocular axial length difference was 1.49 +/- 1.00 mm. The anisometropia and axial length were significantly different between the two eyes (paired t-tests: p < 0.001). However, the intra-ocular pressure was similar between the two eyes (paired t-test: p = 0.41). The POBF was significantly lower in the eye with the longer axial length (459.3 microL min-1) than the fellow eye (590.8 microL min-1), paired t-test: p < 0.001. The pulse amplitude was also significantly lower in the eye with the longer axial length (1.61 mmHg) than the fellow eye (1.89 mmHg), paired t-test: p < 0.001. However, the blood flow velocity from colour Doppler ultrasonography did not demonstrate any significant difference between the two eyes (paired t-test: p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The POBF and pulse amplitude were found to be reduced in the eye with the longer axial length but colour Doppler ultrasonography did not show any significant difference. This suggests that a new pressure-volume relation should be considered in deriving POBF. Practitioners should measure the axial length in POBF assessment.     

Ocular Ischemic Syndrome

Ocular ischemic syndrome encompasses a spectrum of clinical findings that result from chronic ocular hypoperfusion. It is relatively uncommon, and the diagnosis may be difficult to make because of its variable presentations. The presence of an ocular ischemic syndrome always implies underlying severe carotid occlusive disease and may be its sole clinical manifestation. It may also result from other causes of reduced blood flow to the eye and the orbit such as systemic vasculitis. Besides visual loss and ocular/orbital pain, affected patients are also at risk for developing cerebral and myocardial infarction. Establishing the diagnosis is therefore essential with respect not only to visual prognosis but also to patient survival. Ophthalmologists have an important role in early diagnosis and in coordinating the systemic evaluation of patients. Referral to the neuroradiologist and the neurovascular specialist is warranted. We present the current knowledge on the ocular ischemic syndrome.     

Correlation between visual field and color Doppler parameters in chronic open angle glaucoma

The authors evaluated, by means of colour Doppler imaging, the blood flow in ophthalmic artery and posterior ciliary arteries in subjects with chronic open angle glaucoma. On the basis of the visual field indices (MD, SF, CPSD) the patients' eyes were divided in two groups: group A with better indices and group B with great damage. At the posterior ciliary arteries they found these values: PSV 10.264 ± 2.363 cm/s (group A) vs. 7.882 ± 1.251 cm/s (group B) (p < 0.008); RI 0.615 ± 0.065 (group A) vs. 0.695 ± 0.064 (group B) (p < 0.009). These data highlight a correlation between the visual field damage and the reduced supply of optic nerve head.