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Optic chiasmal edema observed on T2-weighted MR images: a reversible finding in obstructive hydrocephalus

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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical significance of optic chiasmal edema (OCE) observed in hydrocephalus.

Materials and methods

Twenty patients with obstructive hydrocephalus and eight patients with communicating hydrocephalus were recruited. We classified both groups into OCE-positive and negative subgroups on three-dimensional T2-weighted images. In the obstructive hydrocephalus group, the pre- and postoperative periventricular hyperintensity (PVH) grade, Evans index, and third ventricle diameter were compared between the subgroups. The visual disturbances were reviewed in the medical records.

Results

Eleven obstructive hydrocephalus patients (55 %) had OCE, while none of communicating hydrocephalus patients did. OCE was improved in all patients postoperatively. Preoperative PVH grade was significantly higher in the OCE-positive subgroup (p < 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in the other indices. Visual disturbances were observed in two OCE-negative patients alone.

Conclusion

OCE is a reversible finding frequently observed in obstructive hydrocephalus and may not be associated with visual disturbances.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare no grant or conflict of interest associated with this manuscript.

Ethical standard

All procedures were in accordance with the ethical standards of institutional review board and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2008.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University of Tsukuba Hospital, 2-1-1 Amakubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0005, Japan

    Takashi Hiyama

  2. Department of Radiology, Tsukuba Medical Center Foundation, 1-3-1 Amakubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8558, Japan

    Masanari Shiigai

  3. Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan

    Tomohiko Masumoto & Manabu Minami

  4. Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan

    Hiroyoshi Akutsu & Akira Matsumura

Authors
  1. Takashi Hiyama
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  2. Tomohiko Masumoto
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  3. Masanari Shiigai
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  4. Hiroyoshi Akutsu
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  5. Akira Matsumura
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  6. Manabu Minami
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Takashi Hiyama.

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Hiyama, T., Masumoto, T., Shiigai, M. et al. Optic chiasmal edema observed on T2-weighted MR images: a reversible finding in obstructive hydrocephalus. Jpn J Radiol 33, 140–145 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-015-0393-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-015-0393-6

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