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Review
. 2022 Nov;172(15-16):329-336.
doi: 10.1007/s10354-022-00925-2. Epub 2022 Mar 28.

Retinal imaging with optical coherence tomography in multiple sclerosis: novel aspects

Elisabeth Olbert  1   2 , Walter Struhal  3   4
Affiliations
Review

Retinal imaging with optical coherence tomography in multiple sclerosis: novel aspects

Elisabeth Olbert et al. Wien Med Wochenschr. 2022 Nov.

Abstract
in English, German

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is of increasing interest in the clinical assessment of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients beyond the scope of clinical studies. In this narrative review, we discuss novel changes of OCT parameters during acute optic neuritis and the disease course of MS patients. OCT images document the changes of retinal layers during an episode of acute optic neuritis and can therefore provide valuable insights into the pathophysiology. Moreover, MS patients show progredient thinning of retinal layers throughout the disease. The thinning is accelerated through relapses as well as disease progression without relapse. The OCT parameters are also associated with clinical outcome parameters, including disability, cognitive function, and brain atrophy. The impact of disease-modifying therapies on OCT parameters is the subject of ongoing research and depends on the agent used. Additional data are still necessary before OCT parameters can be implemented in the clinical standard of care of MS patients.

Die optische Kohärenztomographie (OCT) ist, auch außerhalb von klinischen Studien, von zunehmender Bedeutung für die klinische Behandlung von Patienten mit multipler Sklerose (MS). In der vorliegenden Übersichtsarbeit werden die Veränderungen verschiedener OCT-Parameter während einer akuten Entzündung des Sehnervs sowie im Verlauf einer MS-Erkrankung erörtert. Während einer akuten Entzündung des Sehnervs zeigt die OCT die Veränderungen der Schichten der Retina. Hieraus können neue pathophysiologische Erkenntnisse zur MS-Erkrankung gewonnen werden. Im Krankheitsverlauf zeigen MS-Patienten eine Abnahme der Dicke von retinalen Schichten, die durch Schubaktivität und progrediente Verschlechterung verstärkt wird. Die OCT-Parameter stehen in Korrelation zu der Schwere der körperlichen Behinderung, kognitiver Leistungsfähigkeit sowie Gehirnatrophie. MS-Basistherapien vermindern die Atrophie der retinalen Schichten und haben einen positiven Einfluss auf die Schichtdicke. Daher werden OCT-Parameter zunehmend als zusätzliche Outcome-Parameter in klinischen Studien verwendet. Weitere Studien sind notwendig, bevor OCT-Untersuchungen in die Standardversorgung von MS-Patienten aufgenommen werden können.

Keywords: Atrophy; Macula; Multiple sclerosis; Optic neuritis; Retina.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

E. Olbert and W. Struhal declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
a Background of the eye with the macula and optic disc, b optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the macula, c OCT of the peripapillary region. mRNFL macula retinal fiber layer, GCL ganglion cell layer, IPL inner plexiform layer, INL inner nuclear layer, ONL outer nuclear layer, BM Bruch membrane, pRNFL peripapillary retinal fiber layer, PT prelaminar tissue, LC lamina cribrosa
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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