Prognostic value of the pattern electroretinogram in cases of tumors affecting the optic pathway.
BACKGROUND
Tumors compressing the optic pathway may lead to irreversible loss of vision which may be detected by the pattern electroretinogram (PERG) because of its relation to ganglion cell function.


METHODS
Eyes of 19 patients were tested shortly before and 5-10 days after tumor surgery. Visual acuity, the 30-deg visual field and the transient and steady-state pattern reversal ERG were measured.


RESULTS
Using patterns of 1.5 x 1.2 deg there was a good correlation between the change of pre- and post-surgical visual performance and most of the pattern ERG amplitudes. For all variables tested--P50, N95- and steady-state amplitude--there was a critical value beyond which the visual outcome could be bad or favorable, whereas patients showing higher amplitudes always remained stable or improved after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
The positive correlation between pattern ERG amplitudes and the post-surgical outcome in the case of tumors affecting the optic pathway may be helpful in predicting the outcome for these patients.
Rüther
K
K
Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Charité und Virchow Klinikum, Humboldt-Universität, Berlin, Germany. ruether@ukrv.de
Ehlich
P
P
Philipp
A
A
Eckstein
A
A
Zrenner
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D004596:Electroretinography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009897:Optic Chiasm; D011379:Prognosis; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000502:physiology; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014794:Visual Fields; D014795:Visual Pathways