[Carotid wall thickness in patients with acute unilateral nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy]

ABSTRACT

To compare ipsilateral and contralateral carotid wall thickness in patients with acute unilateral non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy [NAION]. This prospective case series included 17 [10 male and 7 female] patients with unilateral NAION of less than 8 weeks' duration who underwent B-mode ultrasonography to measure intima-media thickness [IMT] in the common carotid and internal carotid arteries. IMT values of the affected side were compared with those on the contralateral side. Mean patient age was 59.6 +/- 10.8 [range 45-74] years. Mean interval between onset of NAION and measurements was 27.6 +/- 13.2 [range 10-45] days. Mean IMT of both common and internal carotid arteries on the affected side [1.19 +/- 0.14 and 1.41 +/- 0.29 mm, respectively] was significantly [P<0.001] higher than the noninvolved side [0.92 +/- 0.11 and 0.83 +/- 0.2, respectively]. NAION may be accompanied by increased carotid wall thickness. Carotid wall thickness measurement using ultrasound in patients with NAION may be useful to identify concomitant carotid artery disease