Clinical, laboratory, and orbital imaging features of giant cell arteritis in comparison to non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropath: a single center case series
2024

Giant Cell Arteritis vs. Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy: MRI Findings

Sample size: 21 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Eldaya Rami W., Yeh Yi-Hsien, Stunkel Leanne, Parsons Matthew S., Van Stavern Gregory P.

Primary Institution: Washington University School of Medicine

Hypothesis

Intra-orbital MRI findings in GCA are more prevalent than believed.

Conclusion

MRI orbital imaging can help distinguish between GCA and NAION, with different imaging patterns observed.

Supporting Evidence

  • 69.2% of GCA patients showed abnormal MRI findings.
  • Perineuritis of the optic nerve sheath was the most common finding in GCA.
  • All NAION patients had unilateral optic nerve involvement.

Takeaway

Doctors looked at pictures of eyes from patients with two similar conditions to see how they differ. They found that one condition often shows more signs on the pictures than the other.

Methodology

This was a retrospective study analyzing MRI findings of 13 GCA patients and 8 NAION patients from 2013 to 2021.

Limitations

The study is retrospective with a small sample size.

Participant Demographics

13 GCA patients (7 females) and 8 NAION patients (6 females), with GCA patients older on average.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3389/fopht.2024.1498968

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