Using Optic Nerve Sonography to Diagnose Brain Injury
Author Information
Author(s): Soldatos Theodoros, Karakitsos Dimitrios, Chatzimichail Katerina, Papathanasiou Matilda, Gouliamos Athanasios, Karabinis Andreas
Primary Institution: Attikon University Hospital
Hypothesis
Do measurements of optic nerve sheath diameter correlate with intracranial pressure in brain-injured adults?
Conclusion
Optic nerve sheath diameter measurements correlate with both noninvasive and invasive intracranial pressure measurements in brain-injured adults.
Supporting Evidence
- ONSD and estimated ICP were significantly increased in patients with severe brain injury.
- In patients with severe brain injury, ONSD measurements correlated with invasive ICP values.
- The best cut-off value of ONSD for predicting elevated ICP was 5.7 mm.
Takeaway
Doctors can use a special ultrasound to measure the optic nerve and check if there's too much pressure in the brain, which can help them treat patients better.
Methodology
The study involved 76 critical care patients, with measurements of optic nerve sheath diameter and intracranial pressure taken using both noninvasive and invasive methods.
Potential Biases
Potential biases include the need for trained observers and the technical limitations of the ultrasound equipment.
Limitations
The study had limitations including the exclusion of patients with certain conditions and the technical challenges of the methods used.
Participant Demographics
The study included 76 critical care patients, 58 males, with an average age of 47 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Confidence Interval
95% CI = 0.62 to 0.90
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website