Use of A-scan Ultrasound and Optical Coherence Tomography to Differentiate Papilledema from Pseudopapilledema

Roberto Saenz, Han Cheng, Thomas C. Prager, Laura J. Frishman, Rosa A. Tang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

SIGNIFICANCE Differentiating papilledema from pseudopapilledema reflecting tilted/crowded optic discs or disc drusen is critical but can be challenging. Our study suggests that spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and retrobulbar optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measured by A-scan ultrasound provide useful information when differentiating the two conditions. PURPOSE To evaluate the use of A-scan ultrasound and spectral-domain OCT retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) in differentiating papilledema associated with idiopathic intracranial hypertension from pseudopapilledema. METHODS Retrospective cross-sectional analysis included 23 papilledema and 28 pseudopapilledema patients. Ultrasound-measured ONSD at primary gaze, percent change in ONSD at lateral gaze (30° test), and peripapillary RNFLT were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed using one eye from each subject. RESULTS Compared with pseudopapilledema, papilledema eyes showed larger mean ONSD (5.4 ± 0.6 vs. 4.0 ± 0.3 mm, P <.0001), greater change of ONSD at lateral gaze (22.4 ± 8.4% vs. 2.8 ± 4.8%, P <.0001), and thicker retinal nerve fiber layer (219.1 ± 104.6 vs. 102.4 ± 20.1 μm, P <.0001). Optic nerve sheath diameter and 30° test had the greatest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.98 and 0.97, respectively; followed by inferior quadrant (0.90) and average RNFLT (0.87). All papilledema eyes with Frisén scale greater than grade II were accurately diagnosed by ONSD, 30° test, or OCT. In mild papilledema (Frisén scale grades I and II, n = 15), area under the receiver operating characteristic curve remained high for ONSD (0.95) and 30° test (0.93) but decreased to 0.61 to 0.71 for RNFLT. At 95% specificity, sensitivities for ONSD, 30° test, and RNFLT were 91.3%, 91.3%, and 56.5%, respectively, for the entire papilledema group and 80.0%, 86.7%, and 13.3% for the mild papilledema subgroup. CONCLUSIONS Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness can potentially be used to detect moderate to severe papilledema. A-scan may further assist differentiation of mild papilledema from pseudopapilledema.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1081-1089
Number of pages9
JournalOptometry and Vision Science
Volume94
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2017

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology
  • Optometry

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