Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography of Peripapillary Vessel Density in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: A Comparative Study

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) are demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system, which differ in the pathogenic mechanism. A common clinical presentation of both conditions is optic neuritis (ON). The study aimed to compare the radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) vessel density in MS and NMOSD patients using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). A total of 40 MS patients, 13 NMOSD patients, and 20 controls were included. The average RPC vessel density was significantly lower in ON eyes (MS+ON, NMOSD+ON) than in non-ON eyes (MS-ON, NMOSD-ON) and in MS+ON, MS-ON, NMOSD+ON, and NMOSD-ON compared with the control group. In NMOSD+ON eyes, the vessel density in superior nasal, nasal superior, and inferior sectors was significantly more decreased than in MS+ON eyes. RPC reduction was also observed in inferior nasal and temporal superior sectors in MS-ON eyes compared with NMOSD-ON eyes. In conclusion, our findings indicate that optic neuritis is associated with a more significant RPC vessel density drop in NMOSD than in MS patients, and the predilection to superior and inferior sectors may be useful as a differential diagnostic marker.

Automated summary

Optic neuritis is associated with a more significant drop in RPC vessel density in NMOSD patients than in MS patients, and the predilection to superior and inferior sectors may be useful as a differential diagnostic marker.