Morning glory disc anomaly: characteristic MR imaging findings

Morning Glory Disc Anomaly: Expanding the MR Phenotype

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Morning glory disc anomaly (MGDA) is a congenital malformation characterized by a funnel-shaped optic disc excavation with radiating vessels and a central glial tuft. Imaging is essential to evaluate associated cephalocele and steno-occlusive vasculopathy. The goal of this study was to assess optic nerve, chiasmatic, and sphenoid bone morphology in MGDA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study examined all subjects with funduscopically confirmed MGDA diagnosed and imaged with brain MR imaging between 2008 and 2023.

RESULTS

Thirty-two children met inclusion criteria. Ocular involvement was unilateral in 29 subjects and bilateral in 3. Segmental optic nerve enlargement ipsilateral to the MGDA was seen in 21 subjects, with 3 also demonstrating a segmental reduction in the size of the ipsilateral optic nerve. Segmental reduction in the size of the ipsilateral optic nerve was present in 3 additional subjects, one with bilateral MGDA. The optic chiasm appeared asymmetrically thickened in 21 subjects, often with deformity. The optic nerves appeared normal in signal intensity in all subjects, with faint peripheral chiasmatic enhancement in 4 of 20 patients who received contrast. Optic nerve findings were stable in 15 subjects with multiple examinations. A persistent craniopharyngeal canal was identified in 17 subjects with sphenoid cephalocele in 1 and mild inferior pituitary gland displacement in 4. Tubular or nodular nasopharyngeal lesions were seen in 10 subjects. One subject had an off-midline sphenoid bone cleft, midbrain deformity, and abnormal thickening of and enhancement around the left oculomotor nerve; the oculomotor nerve finding was present in 1 additional patient.

CONCLUSIONS

MGDA often manifests with ipsilateral optic nerve thickening, leading to a potential misdiagnosis as optic glioma. MGDA is also commonly associated with a persistent craniopharyngeal canal with variable pituitary gland and infundibular deformity, cephalocele, and tubular or nodular nasopharyngeal lesions.

(What's the story) morning glory? MRI findings in morning glory disc anomaly

PURPOSE

Morning glory disc anomaly (MGDA) is a rare congenital ophthalmologic disorder. Historically it has been diagnosed fundoscopically, with little in the literature regarding its imaging findings. The purpose of this study is to further characterize the orbital and associated intracranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of MGDA in our tertiary pediatric center.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of fundoscopically-diagnosed cases of MGDA, that had been referred for MRI. All MRI studies were scrutinized for orbital and other intracranial abnormalities known to occur in association with MGDA.

RESULTS

18 of 19 cases of MGDA showed three characteristic MRI findings: funnel-shaped morphology of the posterior optic disc, abnormal soft tissue associated with the retrobulbar optic nerve, and effacement of adjacent subarachnoid spaces. The ipsilateral (intraorbital) optic nerve was larger in one patient and smaller in six. The ipsilateral optic chiasm was larger in two patients and smaller in one.

CONCLUSION

This study represents a comprehensive radiological-led investigation into MGDA. It describes the most frequently-encountered MRI findings in MGDA and emphasizes the importance of MRI in this cohort, i.e., in distinguishing MGDA from other posterior globe abnormalities, in assessing the visual pathway, and in screening for associated intracranial abnormalities - skull base/cerebral, vascular, and facial. It hypothesizes neurocristopathy as an underlying cause of MGDA and its associations. Caliber abnormalities of the ipsilateral optic nerve and chiasm are a frequent finding in MGDA. Optic pathway enlargement should not be labeled "glioma". (239/250).

Pediatric orbital lesions: ocular pathologies

Orbital pathologies can be broadly classified as ocular, extra-ocular soft-tissue (non-neoplastic and neoplastic), osseous, and traumatic. In part 1 of this orbital series, the authors will discuss the differential diagnosis and key imaging features of pediatric ocular pathologies. These include congenital and developmental lesions (microphthalmos, anophthalmos, persistent fetal vasculature, coloboma, morning glory disc anomaly, retinopathy of prematurity, Coats disease), optic disc drusen, infective and inflammatory lesions (uveitis, toxocariasis, toxoplasmosis), and ocular neoplasms (retinoblastoma, retinal hamartoma, choroidal melanoma, choroidal nevus). This pictorial review provides a practical approach to the imaging work-up of these anomalies with a focus on ocular US as the first imaging modality and additional use of CT and/or MRI for the evaluation of intracranial abnormalities. The characteristic imaging features of the non-neoplastic mimics of retinoblastoma, such as persistent fetal vasculature and Coats disease, are also highlighted.

[Embryonic development and congenital diseases of the orbit]

Many neuroradiologists focus primarily on the central nervous system and give little attention to other regions like the eye/orbit. It is easy to be deceived by the pitfall called satisfaction of search (also abbreviated SOS), despite most congenital eye diseases being easily recognized if one is aware of them. In this article, the most common congenital orbital abnormalities are described, and their basic prenatal causes are summarized.

Congenital Malformations of the Eye: A Pictorial Review and Clinico-Radiological Correlations

Congenital malformations of the eye represent a wide and heterogeneous spectrum of abnormalities that may be part of a complex syndrome or be isolated. Ocular malformation severity depends on the timing of the causative event during eye formation, ranging from the complete absence of the eye if injury occurs during the first weeks of gestation, to subtle abnormalities if the cause occurs later on. Knowledge of ocular malformations is crucial to performing a tailored imaging protocol and correctly reporting imaging findings. Together with the ophthalmologic evaluation, imaging may help frame ocular malformations and identify underlying genetic conditions. The purpose of this pictorial review is to describe the imaging features of the main ocular malformations and the related ophthalmologic findings in order to provide a clinico-radiological overview of these abnormalities to the clinical radiologist. Sight is a crucial sense for children to explore the world and relate with their parents from birth. Vision impairment or even blindness secondary to ocular malformations deeply affects children's growth and quality of life.

Neuroimaging of Ocular Abnormalities in Children

In this article, we will discuss the essential MR imaging protocol required for the assessment of ocular abnormalities including malignancies. Then we will describe relevant anatomy, ocular embryogenesis, and genetics to establish a profound understanding of pathophysiology of the congenital ocular malformations. Finally, we will discuss pediatric ocular malignancies, benign mimics, and the most common congenital ocular malformations with case examples and illustrations and give tips on how to distinguish these entities on neuroimaging.

A case of anterior persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous associated with morning glory disc anomaly and retinopathy of prematurity like retinopathy in a term-born child

Background

Association of morning glory disc anomaly (MGDA) with persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV) has been reported earlier. Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) like retinopathy in preterm babies with optic disc anomalies has also been published. Our case is unique in terms of presence MGDA, PHPV, unilateral ROP like retinopathy in a term infant with normal birth weight.

Case presentation

A 5-month-old girl, born at term with a birth weight of 3750 g, presented with anterior PHPV, MGDA and ROP like retinopathy. In order to prevent retinal detachment, she received 360 degree barrage laser photocoagulation at the edge of the optic disc excavation of the left eye. In the follow-up a month later, laser scars were found in her left fundus without other complications.

Conclusion

PHPV and MGDA with ROP like retinopathy in term and normal weight baby is rare. The peripheral avascular retinal area, caused by the dragging of the defected optic disc, might have been more vulnerable to the oxygen change after birth which resulted in ROP like retinopathy. High sensitivity to oxygen results in a series of changes such as upregulation of VEGF and IGF-1 may cause ROP-like retinopathy.

Optic Nerve Abnormalities in Morning Glory Disc Anomaly: An MRI Study

BACKGROUND

The morning glory disc anomaly (MGDA) is a rare congenital malformation of the optic disc. The association with a significant enlargement of the optic nerve has been recently reported in a few cases, raising the question of potentially associated optic nerve gliomas. The objective was to report the anatomy of optic nerves on MRI in patients with MGDA.

METHODS

In this retrospective single-center study, files of patients with a clinical diagnosis of MGDA were identified through a rare disease database (CEMARA) and included. We reviewed every cerebral and orbital MRI available, performed between 2008 and 2018. Anatomy of the optic nerve from the optic disc to the chiasm was evaluated on MRI.

RESULTS

Nine patients were included. All presented unilateral MGDA. Age at first MRI was 0.6-62 years, median = 3.8 years. MRI showed posterior protrusion of the globe (staphyloma) centered by the optic disc in all cases (100%). Ipsilateral optic nerve abnormalities were found in all cases (100%). The optic nerve was found thinner than the contralateral one in its intraorbital, intracanalar, and intracranial portions in 1 case (11%); in 8 cases (89%), the thickness of the optic nerve was irregular and varied along its pathway: thick, normal, and/or thin. When gadolinium injection had been performed (3 cases), none exhibited gadolinium enhancement. When serial MRI scanning was available (4 cases), there was no evolution of the abnormalities.

CONCLUSION

In patients with MGDA, optic nerve and chiasm abnormalities are the rule, with most often a unique pattern of irregular optic nerve thickness-hypertrophy and hypoplasia-from the orbit to the chiasm. Such pattern should be recognized and points to a developmental abnormality, rather than an optic nerve glioma.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the orbit, Part 2: Characterization of orbital pathologies

In this article we focus on a systematic approach to assess common orbital lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The identification of the probable compartment or structure of origin helps narrow the differential diagnosis of a lesion. Analyzing the morphology, appearance, and signal intensity on various sequences, the pattern, and degree of contrast enhancement are key to characterize lesions on MRI. Imaging features suggesting cellularity and vascularity can also be determined to help plan for biopsy or surgery of these lesions. MRI can also distinguish active from chronic disease in certain pathologies and aids in selecting appropriate medical management. MRI may thus serve as a diagnostic tool and help in guiding therapeutic strategies and posttreatment follow-up.

Morning glory syndrome with Moyamoya disease: A rare association with role of imaging

Morning glory disc anomaly (MGDA) is a congenital optic nerve anomaly characterized by a funnel-shaped excavation of the posterior globe that incorporates the optic disc. Most cases are isolated and not associated with systemic anomalies. Systemic anomalies include midline cranial facial defects, hypertelorism, agenesis of the corpus callosum, cleft lip and palate, basal encephalocele, congenital forebrain abnormalities, and renal anomalies. We report a case of 4-year-old male child who presented with reduced visual acuity on left eye with poor fixation. The left eye demonstrated 6-diopter esotropia. Examination of fundus revealed features of MGDA. The child was further subjected to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of brain to rule out other associated anomalies. It demonstrated narrowing at the distal part of internal carotid artery on both sides, left more than right with prominence of lenticulostriate and leptomeningeal vessels. MRI also revealed funnel-shaped excavation of the posterior globe on the left side consistent with MGDA. Ascertaining the accurate diagnosis of MGDA guides appropriate ophthalmic management and should also prompt a search for associated intracranial abnormalities. Although the diagnosis of MGDA is typically made clinically, imaging may feed supplementary value in establishing the diagnosis and reveal the extent and character of associated ocular abnormalities, and cross-sectional imaging permits for evaluation of the globe in the setting of associated opacities of the refractive media, including persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous, which may alleviate the capacity to make this diagnosis on the basis of the fundoscopy examination alone.

Management of Retinal Detachment Associated with Morning Glory Disc Syndrome

We report a case of morning glory disc anomaly in a young patient with tractional retinal detachment successfully repaired with complex pars plana vitrectomy, membrane peel, laser, and oil tamponade. A 19-year-old female with a history of right morning glory disc anomaly associated with PAX6 gene mutation presented with floaters, photopsia, central scotoma, and visual acuity (VA) of 1/200. A complex macula-involving tractional retinal detachment centered around the optic nerve with a morning glory disc anomaly. Retinal detachment was treated with 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with difficult separation of the posterior hyaloid. Fibrous preretinal membranes were peeled, a temporal relaxing retinotomy was required, subretinal fluid was drained through a superonasal retinotomy during air-fluid exchange, endolaser was applied, and tamponade was achieved with 1,000-centistoke silicone oil. The retina remained attached at 1-year follow-up, with VA count fingers throughout. Morning glory disc is a rare congenital anomaly associated with PAX6 gene mutation that most often occurs unilaterally. It is rarely associated with tractional retinal detachment. Optimization of visual outcome is imperative despite a poor visual prognosis.

Clinical characteristics of morning glory disc anomaly in South India

PURPOSE:

Reports of morning glory disc anomaly (MGDA) in India have mostly been case reports. The aim of this study was to describe the demographic and clinical profile of patients with MGDA in South India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A retrospective review of the medical records of patients with MGDA seen at a tertiary eye hospital in South India over a period of 8 years was carried out. The patients' demographic and clinical data were extracted from the case files and were entered into Epi Info reporting software version 7.2.3.0 and then analyzed.

RESULTS:

There were 51 eyes of 44 patients with MGDA comprised 25 (56.8%) males and 19 (43.2%) females. Seven (15.9%) patients had bilateral MGDA. The mean age for females was 5.8 years (standard deviation [SD]: 5.8) and for males, 11.2 years (SD: 12.1). This difference was not statistically significant with a P = 0.07. The most common ocular associations were strabismus, refractive error, and retinal detachment, whereas the most common systemic associations were cleft lip and cleft palate. Fifty-one percent of eyes were blind at presentation.

CONCLUSION:

Patients with MGDA in India tend to present late with poor visual prognosis. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of blinding complications are crucial in reducing the risk of irreversible visual loss. Associated systemic abnormalities highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in the management of patients with this condition.

Neuroimaging in Children with Ophthalmological Complaints: A Review

Pediatric patients are commonly referred to imaging following abnormal ophthalmological examinations. Common indications include papilledema, altered vision, strabismus, nystagmus, anisocoria, proptosis, coloboma, and leukocoria. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and orbits (with or without contrast material administration) is typically the imaging modality of choice. However, a cranial CT scan is sometimes initially performed, particularly when MRI is not readily available. Familiarity with the various ophthalmological conditions may assist the radiologist in formulating differential diagnoses and proper MRI protocols afterward. Although MRI of the brain and orbits usually suffices, further refinements are sometimes warranted to enable suitable assessment and accurate diagnosis. For example, the assessment of children with sudden onset anisocoria associated with Horner syndrome will require imaging of the entire oculosympathetic pathway, including the brain, orbits, neck, and chest. Dedicated orbital scans should cover the area between the hard palate and approximately 1 cm above the orbits in the axial plane and extend from the lens to the midpons in the coronal plane. Fat-suppressed T2-weighted fast spin echo sequences should enable proper assessment of the globes, optic nerves, and perioptic subarachnoid spaces. Contrast material should be given judiciously, ideally according to clinical circumstances and precontrast scans. In this review, we discuss the major indications for imaging following abnormal ophthalmological examinations.

Spotlight on the pediatric eye: a pictorial review of orbital anatomy and congenital orbital pathologies

Orbital lesions in the pediatric population vary from adults in terms of their presentation, unique pathology, and imaging characteristics. The prompt and accurate diagnosis of these lesions is imperative to prevent serious consequences in terms of visual impairment and disfigurement. Along with dedicated ophthalmologic examination, imaging is instrumental in characterizing these lesions, both for accurate diagnosis and subsequent management. In our pictorial essay, we provide a basic review of orbital embryology, anatomy, and congenital orbital pathologies, with emphasis on radiological findings.

Thin-section 3D Steady-State MRI in Optic Nerve Coloboma

Optic nerve colobomas are congenital defects in the posterior globe of eye with typical funduscopic appearances. We report a two-year-old child suspected of morning glory disc anomaly who underwent thin-section 3D steady-state magnetic resonance imaging which showed characteristic findings of a tiny defect and discontinuity in the optic nerve head.

Persisting Embryonal Infundibular Recess in Morning Glory Syndrome: Clinical Report of a Novel Association

Morning glory syndrome is characterized by a congenital optic disc defect that resembles the eponymous flower. We present the MR imaging findings of 2 pediatric patients with morning glory disc anomaly and persisting embryonal infundibular recess, another rare malformative finding, a previously unreported association. Neuroradiologists should be aware of the possible presence of a persisting embryonal infundibular recess in patients with morning glory syndrome, to aid in the differential diagnosis including other pituitary malformations such as pituitary stalk duplication.

Craniopharyngeal canal, morning glory disc anomaly and hypopituitarism: what do they have in common?

A 14-year-old girl with a history of mid-line defects, basal encephalocele and morning glory disc anomaly presented with untreated growth hormone deficiency, pubertal delay and hypothyroidism. She was found to have a large craniopharyngeal canal based on MRI scan. Craniopharyngeal canal is an uncommon condition that has not been well described in the pediatric population. Consideration of craniopharyngeal canal in the differential diagnosis for basal encephaloceles and understanding its presentation can impact medical decision making and follow-up for patients.

Congenital anomalies of the optic disc: insights from optical coherence tomography imaging

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Congenital anomalies of the optic nerve are rare but significant causes of visual dysfunction in children and adults. Accurate diagnosis is dependent on a thorough funduscopic examination, but can be enhanced by imaging information garnered from optical coherence tomography (OCT). We review common congenital optic nerve anomalies, including optic disc pit, optic nerve coloboma, morning glory disc anomaly, and hypoplasia of the optic nerve, review their systemic associations, and discuss insights from OCT imaging.

RECENT FINDINGS

Optic disc pits are a result of a defect in the lamina cribrosa and abnormal vitreomacular adhesions have been shown to cause maculopathy. In patients with optic nerve colobomas, OCT can be instrumental in diagnosing choroidal neovascularization, a rare but visually devastating complication. The pathogenesis of morning glory disc anomaly has been more clearly elucidated by OCT as occurring from a secondary postnatal mesenchymal abnormality rather than only the initial neuroectodermal dysgenesis of the terminal optic stalk in isolation. OCT studies of optic nerve hypoplasia have demonstrated significant thinning of the inner and outer retinal layers of the perifoveal region and thicker layers in the fovea itself, resulting in a foveal hypoplasia-like pathology, that is, significantly correlated to poorer visual outcomes.

SUMMARY

OCT provides detailed in-vivo analysis of these anatomic anomalies and their resulting pathologies, shedding new insights on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and potential visual outcomes of these conditions in children. Further study employing OCT to elucidate structure-function relationships of congenital optic nerve anomalies will help expand the role of OCT in clinical practice related to diagnosis, prognosis, and management of these entities.

Morning glory disc anomaly with an ipsilateral enlargement of the optic nerve pathway

PURPOSE

To report three patients with an unilateral morning glory disc anomaly in association with an ipsilateral mild thickening of the optic nerve.

METHODS

Three children with a morning glory disc anomaly underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. Ophthalmological, genetic and MRI findings at follow-up are reported. A literature search on the association of morning glory anomaly in association with optic nerve glioma is reported.¹ RESULTS: Three children with an unilateral morning glory anomaly and ipsilateral poor visual acuity were found to have an ipsilateral mild optic nerve enlargement on brain MRI. At serial MRI scanning, there was no progression of this finding.

CONCLUSIONS

The morning glory disc anomaly is a rare congenital malformation of the optic disc. It can be associated with central nervous system abnormalities. The association with an optic nerve glioma has been described once before.¹ Our three cases confirm the possible association between a morning glory disc anomaly and an ipsilateral optic nerve enlargement. Serial MRI showed no growth at follow-up. The awareness of this association by the ophthalmologists is important.

Intraoperative optical coherence tomography assisted analysis of pars Plana vitrectomy for retinal detachment in morning glory syndrome: a case report

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of non-rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (non-RRD) associated with morning glory syndrome (MGS) is not established, as well as best surgical approach to treat RD. Our purpose was to analyse intraoperative optical coherence tomography data (iOCT) in all steps of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for non-RRD in MGS, in order to follow pathophysiological aspects of the disease and to understand the tissues behaviour during surgical workflow.

CASE PRESENTATION

Intraoperative spectral domain optical coherent tomography (iSD-OCT) assisted PPV using Rescan 700 (Carl Zeiss Meditech, Jena, Germany) with epiretinal membrane (ERM) and internal retinal membrane (ILM) peeling, and air endotamponade was performed on the only eye of a 21 years old female with non-RRD associated with MGS. BCVA, pre-, intra- and postoperative OCT were performed along with standard ocular examination. iOCT video and snapshots were analysed intra- and postoperatively using post-processing approach using graphic software. The progression of non-RRD resulted in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) decrease from 0.8 to 0.2. Triamcinolone enhanced iOCT imaging revealed strong vitreous traction and adhesion above the macula and optic disc. Internal limiting membrane was peeled under iOCT control to prevent the peeling of inner layers of the retinal schisis. No retinal break was detected, and only air endotamponade was performed. The retina reattached during first 4 weeks of follow-up with gradual resolution of intraretinal- and subretinal fluid, and remained stable in 12 months. BCVA improved to 0.8.

CONCLUSION

Based on iSD-OCT findings we assume that non-RRD in this case of MGS is caused primarily by the vitreous traction with further possible formation of the retinal breaks. Retinal reattachment reached only with air endotamponade strongly advocates the tractional component of non-RRD and retinal schisis assotiated with MGS. Early PPV for central non-RRD and retinal schisis with the use of iOCT can be performed in more safe and controlled manner and has to be considered to reduce the risk of retinal break formation and to prevent the central vision loss.

Imaging of Pediatric Orbital Diseases

This article reviews a variety of congenital and developmental disorders of the pediatric orbit with particular emphasis on ocular lesions, followed by a description of developmental and neoplastic orbital and ocular masses. The relationship of these diseases to various syndromes and/or known genetic mutations is also highlighted.

Magnetic resonance imaging of optic nerve

Optic nerves are the second pair of cranial nerves and are unique as they represent an extension of the central nervous system. Apart from clinical and ophthalmoscopic evaluation, imaging, especially magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), plays an important role in the complete evaluation of optic nerve and the entire visual pathway. In this pictorial essay, the authors describe segmental anatomy of the optic nerve and review the imaging findings of various conditions affecting the optic nerves. MRI allows excellent depiction of the intricate anatomy of optic nerves due to its excellent soft tissue contrast without exposure to ionizing radiation, better delineation of the entire visual pathway, and accurate evaluation of associated intracranial pathologies.