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Delayed Radiation Injury to the Optic Nerves
Author(s) -
Carl Ellenberger
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of neuroimaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1552-6569
pISSN - 1051-2284
DOI - 10.1111/jon19922130
Subject(s) - medicine , fundus (uterus) , magnetic resonance imaging , optic nerve , abnormality , optic radiation , complication , radiology , pathology , ophthalmology , surgery , diffusion mri , psychiatry
Until recently, diagnosis of delayed radiation‐induced injury to the optic nerves was based only on a visual deficit detected after cranial irradiation and an absence of direct optic nerve involvement by tumor. Now contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can demonstrate breakdown of the bloodbrain barrier in the optic nerves to provide stronger evidence for the diagnosis. This case illustrates that the MRI abnormality, and abnormalities of the ocular fundus, may precede visual symptoms. More precisely delivered radiation may prevent this complication.