Acquired optociliary shunt vessels in papilloedema

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neurology

Background:

• Papilloedema, or optic disc swelling, can result from various intracranial conditions.
• Acquired optociliary shunt vessels are typically collateral vessels that form in response to optic nerve compromise.

Observation:

• Seven cases of prolonged papilloedema are presented, all of which developed acquired optociliary shunt vessels.
• These shunt vessels were also observed in patients with optic nerve tumors, optic nerve drusen, glaucoma, and central retinal vein occlusion.

Findings:

• Two patients had intracranial tumors, four had benign intracranial hypertension, and one had Crouzon's disease.
• Three patients exhibited significant atrophic changes of the optic disc.

Implications:

• The development of acquired optociliary shunt vessels in the context of papilloedema suggests a significant impact on optic nerve health.
• The presence of acquired optociliary shunts, optic atrophy, and poor vision should not be solely attributed to spheno-orbital meningioma, necessitating a broader differential diagnosis.