Ultrasound Imaging of the Eye in Central Nervous System Disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Ultrasound: A Window to the Central Nervous System Ultrasound Imaging of the Eye in Central Nervous System Disease.
IRAS ID
277900
Contact name
Adrian Lim
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Ultrasound (US) is a safe, effective imaging tool which is routinely used to investigate conditions of the abdomen, soft tissues and neck. US uses sound waves to create an image and is able to demonstrate bodily structures in high detail. US of the eye is presently mainly used as a non-invasive way to assess for the presence of papilloedema (swelling of the optic disc). Beyond this there has been limited investigation of US and advanced US techniques in imaging the eye and optic nerve. Previous small studies have looked at the role of US in diagnosing diseases of the optic nerve which have proven that US is an effective technique in diagnosing swelling of the optic nerve secondary to inflammation or ischaemia. The ability to differentiate different causes of optic nerve swelling and other diseases of the central nervous system has however not been assessed.
Previously imaging of the eye and orbits has been predominantly based on Computerised Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Although powerful tools, they have risks associated with them (radiation exposure in CT, limitations of use for MRI, for example if someone has a pacemaker), and when compared with US, they are unable to image blood flow over time. Furthermore compared to these other imaging techniques US is significantly cheaper, readily available and could potentially be performed in the community.
The current project aims to evaluate modern and advanced US techniques in imaging diseases of the eye and optic nerve. One potential application is in differentiating optic neuritis and ischaemic optic neuropathy. These are the two most common conditions of the optic nerve in adults which can be difficult to distinguish clinically but pathologically have differences in blood flow, the hypothesis is that these differences in vascularity may be perceivable on US.
REC name
Wales REC 2
REC reference
21/WA/0009
Date of REC Opinion
9 Feb 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion