Optical coherence tomography: a quantitative tool to screen for papilledema in craniosynostosis

Our aim was to evaluate if optical coherence tomography (OCT) can be used as an alternative for fundoscopy to screen for increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in children with craniosynostosis

We performed a prospective cohort study at the Dutch Craniofacial Centre. We included 38 patients with nonsyndromic scaphocephaly and Crouzon's syndrome aged 3-8 years old, in whom we scored complaints suggestive of increased ICP and performed fundoscopy and OCT. Main outcome measures total retinal thickness (TRT) which was measured on 58 OCT scans.

Forty-three percent of fundoscopies revealed pathologic changes of the papil in at least one eye. Retinal thickness was increased in patients with an abnormal fundoscopy as compared to patients with a normal papil (TRT p < 0.001). Patients with Crouzon's syndrome had a significantly increased retinal thickness as compared to patients with scaphocephaly (TRT p < 0.001).

The current study demonstrates that OCT in children with craniosynostosis is feasible. It confirms that retinal thickness increases in case of papilledema. Given the quantitative character, OCT has a high potential as an alternative tool to screen for papilledema in craniosynostosis and other pediatric populations.