Relationship between internal carotid artery stenosis grade and optic nerve sheath diameter measured by transorbital ultrasonography

Purpose To assess the consequence of the presence, grade, and asymmetry of carotid artery stenoses on the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measured by ultrasonography. Methods ONSD was measured with B-mode ultrasonography in 129 patients referred for duplex and color Doppler imaging of the carotid arteries. Internal carotid artery stenosis was graded on the basis of peak systolic flow velocity. Results The mean ONSD was 3.04 +/- 0.38 mm in the patients without or with 70% stenosis. There was an average difference of 0.58 mm between the ONSD of the patients with 70% stenosis. Conclusion ONSD is lower in patients with carotid artery stenosis. Carotid arteries should be investigated, especially in patients with cardiovascular risk factors or diseases, before interpreting ONSD values.

Automated summary

This study aimed to assess the effect of carotid artery stenosis on the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), and results showed that patients with carotid artery stenosis had lower ONSD, with a greater difference in ONSD as the degree of stenosis increased.