Four-dimensional ultrasound imaging in neuro-ophthalmology

Purpose

To demonstrate diagnostic abilities of space–time (4D) ultrasound imaging in patients with eye pathology and some neuro-ophthalmic syndromes.

Methods

Fifteen healthy controls and 15 patients with eye pathology (papilledema, retinal detachment, macular degeneration and intraocular metastasis) were studied by multimodal (color duplex, B-flow and 3D/4D imaging) sonography.

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.

Conclusions

The 4D neuro-ophthalmo-sonology helps for the quick and non-invasive volume imaging of the type, size, location and severity of optic disc and optic nerve edema and its differentiation from other types of eye lesions.