Comparative Analysis of Optic Nerve Diameter Using Ultrasonography Between Normotensives and Preeclamptic Patients at University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: It is an established fact that obstetric patients withpreeclampsia do have increased optic nerve diameter compared with normotensive patients. Ultrasonography is increasingly advocated as a valuable screening tool for evaluating the optic nerve diameter as a surrogate marker for raised intracranial pressure due to its noninvasive nature, low cost, portability, dynamic real-time assessment and rapid performance. Thisstudy aims to compare the ultrasonographic measurement of optic nerve diameter between two groups of preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women. Methodology: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out at the Department of Radiology, University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Complex, (UNIMEDTHC), Ondo State, Nigeria. It consisted of 90 preeclamptic (study) and 90 normotensives (control) aged-matched pregnant women. The optic nerve diameters were measured by the radiologistusing a high frequency linear ultrasound probe (7.5–12 MHz).Results: The optic nerve diameter as measured by ocular ultrasound scan was statistically significantly higher (p-value of <0.05) in preeclamptic patients compared to normotensives with a mean of 6.22 ± 0.83 mm versus 4.50 ± 0.69 mm, respectively. Conclusion: Ocular ultrasound scan for measurement of optic nerve diameter is a reliable screening tool for assessing raised intracranial pressure in preeclamptic patients when compared to normotensive ones. Therefore, it is recommended that performing non-invasive ocular ultrasound scans be advocated for all pregnant women with or at risk of preeclampsia.