The diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value of OCT for the evaluation of the visual function in children with a brain tumour: A systematic review

Normative retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in a healthy pediatric South Asian cohort: a spectral-domain optical coherence tomography study

Currently, the normative values for retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in our population have not been widely studied. Our study aimed to assess the peripapillary RNFL thickness (RNFLT) with Optopol Copernicus REVO80® spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) amongst healthy children and its associations. One hundred eighty-two eyes of 91 consecutive healthy children 3 to 16 years of age with a refractive error ≤ ± 5 D were included after a thorough eye exam including visual acuity, refraction, tonometry, pachymetry, axial length estimation, and slit lamp exam including fundus assessment. RNFLT was measured via Optopol Copernicus REVO80® high resolution SD-OCT by a single experienced observer with 3D disc mode within a circular area of diameter 3.45 mm and the ring further divided into four quadrants: inferior, superior, nasal, and temporal. The mean age was 11.12 ± 3.12 years (range, 3-16). The average RNFLT was 120.13 ± 12.6 μm. The mean superior RNFL was the thickest at 138.21 ± 16.6 μm, next was the mean inferior RNFLT at 137.62 ± 17.2 μm, followed by the nasal 91.61 ± 18.5 μm and then the temporal at 74.58 ± 11.7 μm. No significant differences in RNFLT were noted between the two eyes. The mean RNFLT was significantly higher in males as compared to females, in vertical quadrants and at an average (p < 0.05). No significant relationship was found between the average RNFLT and factors such as age, axial length, corneal thickness, cup-to-disc ratio, intraocular pressure, or refractive error. This study establishes normative values of RNFLT for this subgroup of Pakistani children for the Optopol Copernicus REVO80® SD-OCT device.

Diagnostic accuracy of retinal optical coherence tomography in children with a newly diagnosed brain tumour

PURPOSE

To estimate the diagnostic accuracy of circumpapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and macular ganglion cell layer-inner plexiform layer (GCL-IPL) thickness measurements to discriminate an abnormal visual function (i.e. abnormal age-based visual acuity and/or visual field defect) in children with a newly diagnosed brain tumour.

METHODS

This cross-sectional analysis of a prospective longitudinal nationwide cohort study was conducted at four hospitals in the Netherlands, including the national referral centre for paediatric oncology. Patients aged 0-18 years with a newly diagnosed brain tumour and reliable visual acuity and/or visual field examination and optical coherence tomography were included. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV).

RESULTS

Of 115 patients included in the study (67 [58.3%] male; median age 10.6 years [range, 0.2-17.8 years]), reliable RNFL thickness and GCL-IPL thickness measurements were available in 92 patients (80.0%) and 84 patients (73.0%), respectively. The sensitivity for detecting an abnormal visual function was 74.5% for average RNFL thickness and 41.7% for average GCL-IPL thickness at a specificity of 44.5% and 82.9%, respectively. The PPV and NPV were 33.0% and 82.6% for the average RNFL thickness and 57.1% and 82.2% for the average GCL-IPL thickness.

CONCLUSION

An abnormal visual function was discriminated correctly by using the average RNFL thickness in seven out of ten patients and by using the average GCL-IPL thickness in four out of ten patients. The relatively high NPVs signified that patients with normal average RNFL thickness and average GCL-IPL thickness measurements had a relative high certainty of a normal visual function.

Optical Coherence Tomography Significance in Managing Early Onset of Optic Pathway Gliomas in Children Younger than 5 Years of Age—A Retrospective Study

We aimed to investigate the significance of optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in managing pediatric optic pathway gliomas (OPGs) in children younger than 5 years of age. A retrospective monocentric study was conducted. SD-OCT scans were obtained using the handheld iVue system to assess peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) thickness at three time points: baseline (OCT1), end of treatment (OCT2), and at last follow-up (OCT3). We compared the median value of pRNFL (and interquartile range—IQR) at different follow-up times and in different sub-groups (stable disease—SD, partial response—PR, and progression disease—PD). Thirteen children younger than 5 years of age were included. The Median follow-up time was 3.9 years (IQR 1.2). Six patients showed a pRNFL change of more than 10% during follow-up. Seven patients showed PD during follow-up. Median pRNFL at baseline was 81.5 µm (IQR 31.5); median pRNFL at the end of treatment was 73 µm (IQR 33); median pRNFL at last follow-up was 72 µm (IQR 38.5). The mean pRNFL at baseline was significantly lower than the mean normative values. Only subjects with PD showed pRNFL change close to statistical significance. This study confirms the role of SD-OCT in managing OPGs for therapeutic decisions and strategy planning of visual rehabilitation.