Noninvasive assessment of intracranial pressure with venous ophthalmodynamometry

Abstract

Object Venous ophthalmodynamometry is a technique used to register the pressure within the central retinal vein. Because the outflow of the central retinal vein is exposed to the intracranial pressure (ICP), the pressure of the central retinal vein may be correlated with the ICP. In the absence of adequate statistical evidence, the authors compared the pressure of the central retinal vein with results of simultaneous invasive monitoring of ICP in neurosurgical patients. Methods The pressure within the central retinal vein was recorded in 102 patients, in whom invasive continuous monitoring of ICP had become necessary for various reasons, mostly because of suspected hydrocephalus and intracranial hemorrhage. Results A highly significant correlation of the pressure in the central retinal vein and the intracranial cavity was confirmed statistically. An increased pressure of the central retinal vein indicated an elevated ICP, with a probability of 84.2%, whereas a normal pressure of the central retinal vein indicated a normal ICP in 92.8% of patients. Conclusions Venous ophthalmodynamometry is a valuable technique for the noninvasive assessment of ICP.