Can the Intraocular Pressure be Determined from MRI?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Can the Intraocular Pressure be Determined from MRI?
IRAS ID
158432
Contact name
Jonathan Phillips
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Swansea University
Research summary
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive technique applied in many areas of diagnostic imaging including oncology and functional imaging of the brain via diffusion tensor imaging. The resulting data yields the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) which provides information on the diffusion of water within the area being examined and hence often provides an indication on the disease state. As well as the ADC, another quantity, known as the kurtosis, can be extracted from the data with appropriate modifications of the MRI sequence. The kurtosis has previously been shown to be related to the microscopic barrier concentration (such as cell membrane concentration), which hinders the water diffusion. Ocular hypertension, indicated by high intra-ocular pressure (IOP) is the most important risk factor for glaucoma. The primary aim of this study is to examine whether diffusion-weighted MRI, incorporating kurtosis, can be used to measure the IOP. After their ophthalmologic examinations at Singleton hospital, which has a nurse-led glaucoma clinic, the consenting patient will proceed to have an MRI scan of their head (including eyes) in the adjacent Imaging Facility at Swansea university (this would be done immediately after their eye exam since the IOP varies during the day). Diffusion characteristics of the eye will be examined and related to the data obtained from the ophthalmologic exams. If a relationship between IOP and kurtosis can be established, this would provide radiologists and clinicians with an estimate for the IOP when examining neurological scans. This additional data may assist in diagnostic and/or interventional decisions.
REC name
South Central - Oxford A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SC/1220
Date of REC Opinion
22 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion