title: Transbulbar B-Mode Sonography in Multiple Sclerosis: Clinical and Biological Relevance.
abstract: Optic nerve sheath diameter quantification by transbulbar B-mode sonography is a recently validated technique, but its clinical relevance in relapse-free multiple sclerosis patients remains unexplored. In an open-label, comparative, cross-sectional study, we aimed to assess possible differences between patients and healthy controls in terms of optic nerve sheath diameter and its correlation with clinical/paraclinical parameters in this disease. Sixty unselected relapse-free patients and 35 matched healthy controls underwent transbulbar B-mode sonography. Patients underwent routine neurologic examination, brain magnetic resonance imaging and visual evoked potential tests. The mean optic nerve sheath diameter 3 and 5 mm from the eyeball was 22-25% lower in patients than controls and correlated with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (r = -0.34, p = 0.048, and r = -0.32, p = 0.042, respectively). We suggest that optic nerve sheath diameter quantified by transbulbar B-mode sonography should be included in routine assessment of the disease as an extension of the neurologic examination.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuroproteomics, Multiple Sclerosis Center, "F. Ferrari" Hospital, Casarano-Lecce, Italy; Multiple Sclerosis Center, "F. Ferrari" Hospital, Casarano-Lecce, Italy; Complex Operative Neurology-Stroke Unit, "F. Ferrari" Hospital, Casarano-Lecce, Italy. Electronic address: dmsrrt@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Masi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuroproteomics, Multiple Sclerosis Center, "F. Ferrari" Hospital, Casarano-Lecce, Italy; Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, Laboratory of Hygiene, University of the Salento-Lecce, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Orlando
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Center, "F. Ferrari" Hospital, Casarano-Lecce, Italy.
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Conte
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Center, "F. Ferrari" Hospital, Casarano-Lecce, Italy.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pasca
authors.affiliation: Complex Operative Neurology-Stroke Unit, "F. Ferrari" Hospital, Casarano-Lecce, Italy.
authors.forename: Rocco
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Scarpello
authors.affiliation: Division of Neuroradiology, "F. Ferrari" Hospital, Casarano-Lecce, Italy.
authors.forename: Pantaleo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spagnolo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, Laboratory of Cell Physiology, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muscella
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, Laboratory of Hygiene, University of the Salento-Lecce, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Donno
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Afferent visual pathway; Brain magnetic resonance imaging; Multiple sclerosis; Optic nerve; Transbulbar B-mode sonography; Visual evoked potentials