Trends and Clinical Characteristics of Pediatric Patients Presenting to an Ophthalmology Emergency Department with an Initial Diagnosis of Optic Nerve Head Elevation

Abstract

Kara M Cavuoto, Zahra Markatia, Annika Patel, Carla J Osigian Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USACorrespondence: Kara M Cavuoto, Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 900 NW 17th Street, Miami, FL, USA, 33136, Tel [phone], Fax [phone], Email [email protected]: Optic nerve head elevation may be the only clinical sign of a vision- and/or life-threatening condition, particularly in children who are asymptomatic or fail to report symptoms. The purpose of this study is to identify epidemiologic trends, clinical characteristics, and diagnostic outcomes of pediatric patients presenting to an ophthalmology emergency department (ED) with suspected optic nerve head elevation.Methods: This retrospective study identified pediatric patients (≤ 18 years) presenting to an ophthalmology ED over a five- year period with suspected optic nerve head elevation to describe demographic trends, clinical characteristics, and diagnostic outcomes.Results: Of the 213 patients, the majority were female (73.2%) and tended to be older than males (14.3 vs 11.2 years, p 12 years old were more likely to have an abnormal MRI than males and children ≤ 12 (OR=1.56 and 1.22, respectively).Conclusion: Patient demographics such as age and sex in conjunction with concurrent symptoms are important factors in determining the urgency of neuroimaging in children with suspected optic nerve head elevation.Keywords: ophthalmology, pediatric, emergency department, optic nerve head elevation

Keywords

• ophthalmology
• pediatric
• emergency department
• optic nerve head elevation