MR imaging anatomy of the optic pathways

Abstract

Imaging in neuro-ophthalmology is a major, developing field. Visual and motor ocular symptoms and signs are of diagnostic and localizing significance, and occur frequently in patients with brain space-occupying lesions. Knowledge of the anatomy of the optic pathways extending from the retina to the calcarine fissure throughout the brain is crucial. Multiplanar high resolution MR imaging permits the physician to depict the visual path with exquisite detail. This article provides a correlative regional anatomic and imaging atlas of the brain following the optic pathways, with reference to the most accurate technical imaging procedures.