Central retinal artery delineation using magnetic resonance imaging.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neuroimaging
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• The central retinal artery (CRA) is crucial for vision.
• Limited neuroimaging studies have focused on the CRA's anatomy.
• Understanding CRA morphology is vital for diagnosing and managing ocular vascular conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the central retinal artery (CRA) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• To explore the feasibility of thin-slice contrast MRI for visualizing the proximal CRA.

Main Methods:

• Eighty-one patients with normal orbital structures and visual function were included.
• Thin-slice contrast-enhanced MRI scans of the orbits were performed.
• Axial and sagittal imaging sequences were analyzed to identify and measure CRA parameters.

Main Results:

• Central retinal artery (CRA) morphology exhibited significant variability on both axial and sagittal MRI views.
• Detection rates for the CRA were higher on sagittal images (76.5% right, 85.2% left) compared to axial images (11.1% right, 19.8% left).
• Measurements of the distance from the branching site to the posterior bulb showed distinct values for sagittal and axial views, with notable inter-patient variation.

Conclusions:

• Thin-slice contrast-enhanced sagittal MRI is a valuable tool for visualizing the proximal central retinal artery (CRA).
• Serial sagittal imaging sequences are particularly effective for identifying the CRA and its spatial relationship with surrounding orbital structures.
• This MRI approach offers potential for improved diagnosis and understanding of CRA-related pathologies.