Sylvia L Groth1, Sean P Donahue2, Anvesh Reddy3, Asha Sarma4, Curtis Wushensky4. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. Electronic address: Sylvia.groth@vumc.org. 2. Department of Ophthalmology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. 3. Department of Ophthalmology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. 4. Department of Radiology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is a structural loss of white matter pathways that carry visual information from the lateral geniculate bodies to the visual cortex. It is observed radiologically in patients with a history of prematurity and is associated with visual field (VF) defects and optic disc cupping. Advances in perinatal care have improved survival for premature babies, so many now present as adolescents and adults to comprehensive eye doctors who are unaware of the relationship of cupping, field defects, and prematurity and who may diagnose manifest or suspected normal tension glaucoma. We describe 2 such patients to raise awareness of this entity. DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: Review of clinical information of 2 patients identified during clinical practice. Charts were reviewed for gestational age, optic nerve appearance, intraocular pressure (IOP), and sequelae of prematurity. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), optical coherence tomography (OCT), VF, and optic disc photographs were reviewed. RESULTS: Two young patients with a history of prematurity presented with enlarged cup-to-disc ratio and normal IOP. OCT thinning was most prominent superiorly, with VF defects more notable inferior and homonymous. No progression on VF or OCT was noted in the index case over almost 4 years. CONCLUSIONS: Periventricular leukomalacia should be added to the differential diagnosis of normal tension glaucoma (NTG) when there is a history of prematurity. Careful examination of the optic nerve will assist in differentiating from NTG. Specifically, horizontal cupping with minimal or no nasal displacement of vessels, and superior optic nerve thinning with inferior VF defects, suggest PVL.
PURPOSE:Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is a structural loss of white matter pathways that carry visual information from the lateral geniculate bodies to the visual cortex. It is observed radiologically in patients with a history of prematurity and is associated with visual field (VF) defects and optic disc cupping. Advances in perinatal care have improved survival for premature babies, so many now present as adolescents and adults to comprehensive eye doctors who are unaware of the relationship of cupping, field defects, and prematurity and who may diagnose manifest or suspected normal tension glaucoma. We describe 2 such patients to raise awareness of this entity. DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: Review of clinical information of 2 patients identified during clinical practice. Charts were reviewed for gestational age, optic nerve appearance, intraocular pressure (IOP), and sequelae of prematurity. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), optical coherence tomography (OCT), VF, and optic disc photographs were reviewed. RESULTS: Two young patients with a history of prematurity presented with enlarged cup-to-disc ratio and normal IOP. OCT thinning was most prominent superiorly, with VF defects more notable inferior and homonymous. No progression on VF or OCT was noted in the index case over almost 4 years. CONCLUSIONS:Periventricular leukomalacia should be added to the differential diagnosis of normal tension glaucoma (NTG) when there is a history of prematurity. Careful examination of the optic nerve will assist in differentiating from NTG. Specifically, horizontal cupping with minimal or no nasal displacement of vessels, and superior optic nerve thinning with inferior VF defects, suggest PVL.
Authors: Ahmed H El Beltagi; Nour Barakat; Loai Aker; Laith Abandeh; Ahmed Own; Mohamed Abdelhady; Hassan Aboughalia Journal: Radiol Case Rep Date: 2022-09-11
Authors: Liangbo L Shen; Shwetha Mangalesh; Brendan McGeehan; Vincent Tai; Neeru Sarin; Mays A El-Dairi; Sharon F Freedman; Maureen G Maguire; Cynthia A Toth Journal: Am J Ophthalmol Date: 2020-09-04 Impact factor: 5.258