Neuroimaging clinics of North America
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Optical coherence tomography is an imaging technique using low coherence light sources to produce high-resolution cross-sectional images. This article reviews pertinent anatomy and various pathologies causing optic atrophy (eg, compressive, infiltrating, demyelinating) versus optic nerve swelling (from increased intracranial pressure known as papilledema or other optic nerve intrinsic pathologies). On optical coherence tomography, optic atrophy is often associated with reduced average retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, whereas optic nerve swelling is usually associated with increased average retinal nerve fiber layer thickness.
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Optic neuropathy involves loss of visual acuity, color vision, and visual field defect with a swollen, pale, anomalous, or normal optic disc seen on fundoscopy. Chiasmal disorders classically present with gradual onset of vision loss, bitemporal hemianopsia, and occasionally, endocrinopathy if the pituitary gland and/or hypothalamus are the causes or are involved. ⋯ Some entities have imaging characteristics, leading to appropriate treatment without requiring tissue biopsies. Imaging also provides disease surveillance and posttreatment assessment, with computed tomography and MR imaging being complementary to each other.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · May 2015
ReviewOverview of the complications and sequelae in spinal infections.
Spondylitis or infection of the spine is a spectrum of diseases involving the bone, disks, and/or ligaments. Because of a significant increase in the immunocompromised patient population, spinal infections are a growing and changing group of conditions, making the diagnosis based on imaging more challenging. ⋯ This article provides a pictorial overview of the complications and sequelae in spinal infections in general. Discussed are postoperative infections, extraspinal spread of infection, fractures and malformations, and neurologic complications.