Optical Coherence Tomography for the Radiologist

Abstract

Optical coherence tomography is an imaging technique using low coherence light sources to produce high-resolution cross-sectional images. This article reviews pertinent anatomy and various pathologies causing optic atrophy (eg, compressive, infiltrating, demyelinating) versus optic nerve swelling (from increased intracranial pressure known as papilledema or other optic nerve intrinsic pathologies). On optical coherence tomography, optic atrophy is often associated with reduced average retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, whereas optic nerve swelling is usually associated with increased average retinal nerve fiber layer thickness.

Keywords: Circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber analysis; Ganglion cell layer; Macular imaging; Macular volume; Optic atrophy; Optic nerve imaging; Optic nerve swelling; Optical coherence tomography; Retinal nerve fiber bundle defect.