Retrograde Degeneration of Retinal Ganglion Cells Secondary to Head Trauma. 2017

Lee Vien, and Christina DalPorto, and David Yang
*OD, FAAO †OD Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Healthcare System, Palo Alto, California (LV, CDP, DY); and University of California, Berkeley School of Optometry, Berkeley, California (LV, DY).

To discuss the clinical case of a patient with transsynaptic retrograde degeneration (TRD) demonstrated by progressive retinal nerve fiber layer loss documented by serial spectral domain optical coherence tomography secondary to traumatic brain injury after 2 months post-trauma. A 25-year-old Caucasian male patient presented to a polytrauma rehabilitation center (PRC) for evaluation and treatment secondary to a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) from a motorcycle accident 2 months before. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was completed at intervals that ranged between 8 and 42 days for a duration of 119 days. A comparison to the pre-trauma SD-OCT 10 months before revealed progressive thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in both eyes over multiple follow-ups post-trauma. Humphrey visual field (HVF) testing revealed an incomplete congruous right homonymous hemianopsia that gradually improved over the follow-ups. Analysis of the macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness displayed loss that corresponded to the pattern of visual field defect. TRD can occur as soon as 2 months after severe TBI with damage posterior to the lateral geniculate nucleus. Progressive RNFL loss can be tracked with SD-OCT, and the rate of thinning may slowly stabilize over time. Visual field defects can improve months after the trauma but may not correspond to the progressive RNFL loss detected by SD-OCT.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009412 Nerve Fibers Slender processes of NEURONS, including the AXONS and their glial envelopes (MYELIN SHEATH). Nerve fibers conduct nerve impulses to and from the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. Cerebellar Mossy Fibers,Mossy Fibers, Cerebellar,Cerebellar Mossy Fiber,Mossy Fiber, Cerebellar,Nerve Fiber
D012162 Retinal Degeneration A retrogressive pathological change in the retina, focal or generalized, caused by genetic defects, inflammation, trauma, vascular disease, or aging. Degeneration affecting predominantly the macula lutea of the retina is MACULAR DEGENERATION. (Newell, Ophthalmology: Principles and Concepts, 7th ed, p304) Degeneration, Retinal,Degenerations, Retinal,Retinal Degenerations
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000070642 Brain Injuries, Traumatic A form of acquired brain injury which occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. Trauma, Brain,Traumatic Brain Injury,Encephalopathy, Traumatic,Injury, Brain, Traumatic,TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury),TBIs (Traumatic Brain Injuries),Traumatic Encephalopathy,Brain Injury, Traumatic,Brain Trauma,Brain Traumas,Encephalopathies, Traumatic,TBI (Traumatic Brain Injuries),Traumas, Brain,Traumatic Brain Injuries,Traumatic Encephalopathies
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D012165 Retinal Ganglion Cells Neurons of the innermost layer of the retina, the internal plexiform layer. They are of variable sizes and shapes, and their axons project via the OPTIC NERVE to the brain. A small subset of these cells act as photoreceptors with projections to the SUPRACHIASMATIC NUCLEUS, the center for regulating CIRCADIAN RHYTHM. Cell, Retinal Ganglion,Cells, Retinal Ganglion,Ganglion Cell, Retinal,Ganglion Cells, Retinal,Retinal Ganglion Cell
D012183 Retrograde Degeneration Pathologic changes that occur in the axon and cell body of a neuron proximal to an axonal lesion. The process is characterized by central chromatolysis which features flattening and displacement of the nucleus, loss of Nissl bodies, and cellular edema. Central chromatolysis primarily occurs in lower motor neurons. Axon Reaction,Nissl Degeneration,Retrograde Degeneration, Transneuronal,Axonal Reaction,Trans-Synaptic Degeneration,Axon Reactions,Axonal Reactions,Degeneration, Nissl,Degeneration, Retrograde,Degeneration, Trans-Synaptic,Degeneration, Transneuronal Retrograde,Degenerations, Retrograde,Degenerations, Trans-Synaptic,Degenerations, Transneuronal Retrograde,Reaction, Axon,Reaction, Axonal,Reactions, Axon,Reactions, Axonal,Retrograde Degenerations,Retrograde Degenerations, Transneuronal,Trans Synaptic Degeneration,Trans-Synaptic Degenerations,Transneuronal Retrograde Degeneration,Transneuronal Retrograde Degenerations
D014794 Visual Fields The total area or space visible in a person's peripheral vision with the eye looking straightforward. Field, Visual,Fields, Visual,Visual Field

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