Signal Alteration in the Optic Nerve Head on 3D T2-weighted MRI: a Potential Neuroimaging Sign of Glaucomatous Optic Neuropathy

ABSTRACTPurpose: To investigate whether a signal alteration (SA) in the optic nerve head (ONH) on 3D T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is associated with glaucomatous optic neuropathyMaterials and Methods: A total of 35 patients with bilateral open-angle glaucoma and 31 age-matched controls underwent 3D high-resolution (0.98 × 0.98 × 1 mm3) T2-weighted MRI and detailed ophthalmologic examinations including spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). Two independent reviewers blinded to subject data determined mild or prominent SA on 3D T2-weighted MRI for the incomplete or complete loss of ocular hypointense continuity in the ONH, respectively. The prevalence of SAs was compared between the two groups with the chi-square test. The OCT measurements were compared among the eyes with a mild or prominent SA and those without an SA using the Kruskal–Wallis test.Results: Of the 35 eyes with glaucoma, 26 eyes (74.3%) exhibited an SA in the ONH, whereas it was observed in 5 (16.1%) of the 31 co...