Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats
04:12

Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats

Published on: March 28, 2025

Structural and vascular characteristics of PHOMS in pediatric pseudopapilledema

Selda Celik Dulger1, Fırat Uygur2, Ismail Murat Seyhun2

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Ministry of Health Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Halil Sezai Erkut Street No:5, Yenimahalle, Ankara, Turkey. drsldclk@gmail.com.

BMC Ophthalmology
|July 15, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Peripapillary hyperreflective ovoid mass-like structures (PHOMS) in pediatric pseudopapilledema are linked to structural optic nerve head changes, not uniform microvascular alterations. PHOMS size correlates with increased retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, suggesting axonal remodeling.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Neuro-ophthalmology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Pediatric pseudopapilledema can present with optic disc abnormalities.
  • Peripapillary hyperreflective ovoid mass-like structures (PHOMS) are observed in some cases.
  • Understanding the structural and vascular characteristics of PHOMS is crucial for diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the structural and vascular features of PHOMS in pediatric pseudopapilledema.
  • To investigate the relationship between PHOMS and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness.
  • To assess optic nerve head parameters in relation to PHOMS.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of 38 pediatric patients with pseudopapilledema and 36 healthy controls.
  • Analysis of structural optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) parameters.
  • Measurement of PHOMS size and correlation with RNFL thickness and optic nerve head parameters.

Main Results:

  • PHOMS-positive eyes showed significantly greater global RNFL thickness compared to controls.
  • Larger Bruch's membrane opening (BMO) diameter and smaller foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area were noted in PHOMS-positive eyes.
  • A positive correlation was found between maximum PHOMS diameter and global RNFL thickness.

Conclusions:

  • PHOMS in pediatric pseudopapilledema are primarily associated with structural optic nerve head alterations.
  • No consistent pattern of microvascular change was identified despite some OCTA parameter differences.
  • The association between PHOMS size and RNFL thickness suggests localized axonal crowding and remodeling.
Abstract

Keywords:
Optic disc drusenOptical coherence tomography angiographyPediatric pseudopapilledemaPeripapillary hyperreflective ovoid mass-like structuresRetinal nerve fiber layer

More Related Videos

3D Modeling of the Lateral Ventricles and Histological Characterization of Periventricular Tissue in Humans and Mouse15:26

3D Modeling of the Lateral Ventricles and Histological Characterization of Periventricular Tissue in Humans and Mouse

Published on: May 19, 2015

Microdissection and Whole Mount Scanning Electron Microscopy Visualization of Mouse Choroid Plexus06:45

Microdissection and Whole Mount Scanning Electron Microscopy Visualization of Mouse Choroid Plexus

Published on: December 16, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology01:22

Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...
Cerebral Edema l: Introduction01:19

Cerebral Edema l: Introduction

Cerebral edema is a pathological increase in brain water content that disrupts intracranial pressure regulation and impairs neurological function. Because the cranial vault is rigid, even modest increases in tissue volume can compromise cerebral perfusion, distort neural structures, and initiate secondary injury. Cerebral edema develops through four principal mechanisms: vasogenic, cytotoxic, interstitial, and ionic.Vasogenic EdemaVasogenic edema arises from disruption of the blood–brain...
Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology01:29

Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) refers to a potentially life-threatening rise in pressure inside the skull. This usually happens when there is a major change in the volume of brain tissue, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the three components inside the skull. According to the Monro-Kellie doctrine, if the volume of one component increases, the volumes of the other components must decrease to maintain normal pressure. If this does not happen, ICP rises.The process often begins with...
Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction01:14

Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction

Intracranial hypertension is a sustained elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) above 22 mm Hg. In supine adults, normal ICP is ~7–15 mm Hg.The rigid, nonexpandable cranium contains three components—brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—that total ~1,700 mL in a typical adult: 1,400 mL brain (~80%), 150 mL blood (~10%), and 150 mL CSF (~10%). According to the Monro–Kellie doctrine, total intracranial volume is effectively fixed. When one component expands, CSF and venous blood...
Cytotoxic Edema: Pathophysiology01:21

Cytotoxic Edema: Pathophysiology

Cytotoxic edema is a form of cerebral edema characterized by intracellular swelling of neurons, astrocytes, and other glial cells. It develops when the mechanisms responsible for maintaining ionic gradients across the cell membrane become impaired. Under normal physiological conditions, the sodium–potassium ATPase actively transports sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell, preserving osmotic balance and enabling electrical signaling. This pump requires a continuous supply...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...