[The role of vascular factors in the development of traumatic optic neuropathy in course of closed head injury].
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to assess the pathogenesis of traumatic optic neuropathy as a consequence of closed head injury.


METHODS
The clinical material comprised 34 patients (4 women and 30 men, age 14-70 years), who developed clinical symptoms of optic neuropathy after head trauma. A full ophthalmologic survey and colour Doppler examination of the orbital vessels were performed in all patients.


RESULTS
Full blindness of the affected eye, persisting since the injury, was noted in 20 patients. Orbital fracture was diagnosed in 15 person, but 4 patients among them had fracture of the optic canal bones. In 16 cases a retrobulbar hematoma was present. In 8 patients, who displayed no light perception after trauma, no flow was observed in the central retinal artery. In 18 other persons there was decreased of blood flow parameters. Only 6 patients had the normal flow in the orbital vessels.


CONCLUSIONS
The reason of the development of optic neuropathy after head injury is not clear. Our results of the blood flow measurement in the orbital vessels suggest, that disturbance of circulation within the optic nerve is very serious factor in the pathogenesis of traumatic optic neuropathy.
Mariak
Zofia
Z
Kliniki Okulistyki Akademii Medycznej w Białymstoku.
Obuchowska
Iwona
I
Ustymowicz
Andrzej
A
Sherkawey
Nebi
N
Stankiewicz
Andrzej
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005123:Eye / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020221:Optic Nerve Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012161:Retinal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler