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Optic nerve injury demonstrated by MRI with STIR sequences
S Takehara1, T Tanaka, K Uemura
1Department of Neurosurgery, Yaizu Municipal Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan.
Neuroradiology
|October 1, 1994
Summary
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect optic nerve injury after head trauma. Abnormal high signals were found in 10 of 11 injured nerves, but not immediately after injury.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Ophthalmology
- Trauma Research
Background:
- Optic nerve injury can result from closed head trauma.
- Assessing the extent and timing of optic nerve damage is crucial for patient outcomes.
Observation:
- Nine patients with optic nerve injury secondary to head trauma were evaluated.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using short inversion time inversion recovery (STIR) sequences was employed.
- Imaging was performed on 11 occasions, ranging from 4 days to 14 years post-injury.
Findings:
- Abnormal high signal intensity was detected in 10 out of 11 injured optic nerves.
- No abnormalities were observed on MRI scans conducted 4 days after the injury.
- Later imaging (over 4 months to 14 years) consistently revealed abnormalities.
Implications:
- MRI, particularly STIR sequences, is a sensitive tool for detecting optic nerve damage following head trauma.
- Early MRI may not show abnormalities, suggesting a delayed presentation of injury changes.
- These findings can aid in the diagnosis and management of traumatic optic neuropathy.