Morning Glory Disc Anomaly: Expanding the MR Phenotype.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neuroradiology
• Pediatric Neurology

Background:

• Morning glory disc anomaly (MGDA) is a congenital condition affecting the optic disc.
• Imaging is crucial for identifying associated cephalocele and steno-occlusive vasculopathy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess optic nerve, chiasmatic, and sphenoid bone morphology in patients with MGDA.
• To evaluate potential misdiagnosis of optic glioma due to optic nerve thickening in MGDA.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of patients with funduscopically confirmed MGDA.
• Brain MRI imaging was used to evaluate optic nerve, chiasm, and sphenoid bone morphology.

Main Results:

• Thirty-two children with MGDA were analyzed.
• Ipsilateral optic nerve enlargement was common (21/32), potentially mimicking optic glioma.
• Associated findings included persistent craniopharyngeal canal (17/32), pituitary deformity (4/32), and nasopharyngeal lesions (10/32).

Conclusions:

• MGDA frequently presents with ipsilateral optic nerve thickening, posing a risk of misdiagnosis as optic glioma.
• MGDA is commonly associated with persistent craniopharyngeal canal, pituitary and infundibular deformities, cephalocele, and nasopharyngeal lesions.