NeuroOphthalmoSonology: Diagnostic Value and Clinical Application

Aim: To demonstrate diagnostic abilities of ultrasound methods in patients with eye pathology and neuro-ophthalmic symptoms and syndromes.
Materials and Methods: Using multimodal neurosonography 28 clinically healthy persons and 20 patients with different ocular pathology (papilledema, retinal detachment, macular degeneration, intraocular metastasis, optic nerve atrophy, etc.) were examined. Significant differences in ultrasound parameters of the optic nerve and optic disc in comparison to healthy individuals were searched depending on the type and the severity of the disease.
Results: Normal optic disc resulted in a smooth and sharp contour without swelling. Papilledema was presented as a hyperechoic prominence into the vitreous. On its side the optic sheath diameter was increased in association with the degree of optic disc swelling. The retinal detachment was imaged as a hyperechoic undulating membrane, the neovascular macular degeneration – as a hyperechoic membrane behind the retina, and the intraocular metastasis – as irregular unifocal formation into the vitreous. Eye injuries cause various changes in shape, size and density of the ocular structures.
Discussion: The multimodal neuro-ophthalmo-sonography is fast and non-invasive method for distinguishing neuro-ophthalmic symptoms and syndromes of primary eye diseases.