Correlation between optical coherence tomography and tractography results in tumor compressive optic neuropathy

• Grant number: 23/14667-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: June 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Wellingson Silva Paiva
• Grantee: Maria Eduarda Nasi Hsiao
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Compressive optic neuropathy is an important cause of visual loss. Some etiologies of this conditionare: tumor compression, pachymeningitis, fractures and vascular compressions. Among intracranialtumors, meningiomas account for about 36% of cases, with approximately 25% of them located atthe base of the skull. In suprasellar and clinoidal meningiomas, in particular, the rates of visual lossrange from 53.8% to 77%. In these conditions, optic nerve compression can be better evaluatedusing optical coherence tomography. Structurally, the impact of optic neuropathy can be assessedusing tractography. This study aims to evaluate the impact on the visual cortex of compressive opticneuropathy caused by a skull base tumor. It will be a prospective, unicentric, analytical study,carried out with a sample of patients operated on for skull base meningioma. 40 patients divided intotwo groups will participate in this study. Group 1 will be composed of 20 patients operated on forskull base meningiomas who had optic nerve compression with visual loss. The control group willconsist of 20 patients with skull base meningioma without visual impairment. All patients willundergo an ophthalmological evaluation by a specialist followed by optical coherence tomographyof the optic nerve to assess the morphology of the nerve. Afterwards, the patients will be submittedto a 3T magnetic resonance imaging study with DTI sequence for the evaluation of the tractography,allowing the analysis of the fibers of the second-order neurons. The expected results are theproduction of scientific medical knowledge with publication in specialized literature and theidentification of the cortical repercussion of visual dysfunction due to nerve compression.