The relation between the thickness of retrobulbar part of the optic nerve, measured by ultrasound, and the degree of prominence of the optic disc in stasis of the optic nerve

Abstract

Introduction: The etiology of the noninflamed edema of the optic disc, or the stasis of the same, is related to a large number of various illnesses which result in the increased intracranial pressure. When examining fundus, an edema of the optic disc is found which can be quantitatively expressed in diopters, while retrobulbar part of the optic nerve can be measured by ultrasonography. Objective: The Objective of our investigation is to explore the relation of the optic disc prominence and the degree of thickness of retrobulbar part of the optic nerve. Method: Study included 21 patients with the increased intracranial pressure, treated at the Institute of Neurosurgery, Clinical Center of Serbia, that is, 41 eyes that manifested stasis of the optic nerve. Echographically, by means of Schraeder’s Method, the thickness of retrobulbar part of the optic nerve was measured and the degree of the optic disc prominence was clinically determined in diopters. Results: The thickened optic nerve was confirmed in all patients. Using Pearson’s correlation, the relation between the degree of the optic nerve thickness and the prominence of the same was analyzed, and it was found that there was no significant correlation between these two parameters. Conclusion: Instead of Conclusion, we shall ask a question: How relevant is dogma that the prominence of the optic disc more than 3D should be considered the optic disc stasis? The authors think that rating of the optic disc prominence in diopters is not justified.

Keywords

• stasis of the optic disc
• noninflammatory edema of the optic disc
• echography