Dorsolateral medullary infarction registry: a study protocol for a prospective, multicentric registry

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Ophthalmology
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Dorsolateral medullary infarction, often presenting as Wallenberg's syndrome, can uncommonly lead to neurotrophic keratopathy.
• Understanding the ocular surface environment and corneal innervation changes post-infarction is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the dynamic changes in corneal innervation and the ocular surface environment following acute dorsolateral medullary infarction.
• To characterize the development and progression of neurotrophic keratopathy after this type of stroke.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, multicentric registry study involving patients within 7 days of acute dorsolateral medullary infarction.
• Data collection includes medical records, physical examinations, multimodal imaging, and corneal examinations.
• Patients will be followed for 2 years to observe dynamic histological corneal innervation and ocular surface changes.

Main Results:

• This registry is the first to identify and characterize dynamic changes in corneal innervation and ocular surface post-dorsolateral medullary infarction.
• Neurotrophic keratopathy development and progression patterns will be detailed.

Conclusions:

• Early identification of neurotrophic keratopathy is vital for effective treatment before irreversible corneal damage occurs.
• This research highlights the importance of ophthalmologic monitoring in patients with dorsolateral medullary infarction.