Can the optic nerve sheath diameter in brain magnetic resonance imaging be a predictor of elevated intracranial pressure?

Abstract

Elevated intracranial pressure (EICP) is important cause of the mental change. Recent studies by using ultrasound show that optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) increase in the patients with EICP. We compared the diameter of optic nerve sheath and mass effect in the magnetic resonance image (MRI). In the T1 weighted image, we measured the optic nerve sheath diameter at the 3㎜ posterior of eye glove. 31 patients were involved. 14 patients showed mass effect and were suspicious of EICP. 17 patients showed no mass effect. Based on MR imaging, ONSD of the group with suspicious EICP show 5.06mm±0.55 (Rt), 5.16±0.56mm (Lt) but ONSD of the group with less suspicious EICP show 4.54±0.56mm (Rt), 4.35±0.75mm (Lt). The increase of optic nerve sheath diameter can be a sign of elevated intracranial pressure. © Research India Publications.