Korean J Radiol.  2012 Apr;13(2):237-239. 10.3348/kjr.2012.13.2.237.

Diffusion MR Imaging of Postoperative Bilateral Acute Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

• Park JY
• Lee IH
• Song CJ
• Hwang HY

• KMID: 1245389
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2012.13.2.237

Abstract

A 57-year-old woman experienced bilateral acute ischemic optic neuropathy after spine surgery. Routine MR imaging sequence, T2-weighted image, showed subtle high signal intensity on bilateral optic nerves. A contrast-enhanced T1 weighted image showed enhancement along the bilateral optic nerve sheath. Moreover, diffusion-weighted image (DWI) and an apparent diffusion coefficient map showed markedly restricted diffusion on bilateral optic nerves. Although MR findings of T2-weighted and contrast enhanced T1-weighted images may be nonspecific, the DWI finding of cytotoxic edema of bilateral optic nerves will be helpful for the diagnosis of acute ischemic optic neuropathy after spine surgery.

Keyword

Optic neuropathy, ischemic; Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging

MeSH Terms

Contrast Media/diagnostic use
Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods
Female
Humans
Intervertebral Disc Displacement/surgery
Middle Aged
Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic/*diagnosis
Postoperative Complications/*diagnosis
Spinal Stenosis/surgery

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Fiftyseven-year-old woman with postoperative bilateral acute ischemic optic neuropathy. A, B. Diffusion weighted image (A) and apparent diffusion coefficient map (B) shows restricted diffusion (arrows) on bilateral optic nerves. C. Axial T2 weighted image shows subtle high signal intensity (arrows) on bilateral optic nerves. D. Contrast enhanced axial T1 weighted image shows enhancement (arrows) along bilateral optic nerve sheath.

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