Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter: An Insight into Alternative Measurements of Intracranial Pressure
Standing
Undergraduate
Type of Proposal
Oral Research Presentation
Challenges Theme
Open Challenge
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Anthony Bain
Proposal
The optic nerve gives us insight into the brain, and measuring the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) allows a better, less invasive approach to the pathophysiology of the cerebrovascular system. Intracranial pressure (ICP) causes build-up and pressure on the brain, and that pressure surrounds the optic nerve causing it to expand. The diagnosis of ICP is invasive; this study aims to use ultrasound to diagnose ICP through the measurement of ONSD since its an easy, non-invasive technique. This study will include approximately 20 health participants with no history of cerebrovascular diseases such as hypertension or a concussion. During the experiment, ultrasound images will be taken of the participant's eye as a baseline; the participant will then be asked to perform the Valsalva maneuver, which entails holding their breath for 15 seconds to increase ICP in the brain. During this time, ultrasound pictures will be retaken to measure the change in ONSD to compare pre and post-Valsalva. We will also monitor the participant's beat-by-beat blood pressure (BP) to observe the correlation between BP and ONSD. This research is still ongoing; with 11 participants, we were able to prove significant results for the ONSD measurement. There was an increase in the ONSD between the baseline and Valsalva results as well as a correlation between BP and ONSD during Valsalva. The results also indicated that the ONSD measurement is sensitive enough to detect changes. This study aims to determine the validity of using ultrasound as a diagnostic tool since it is a faster, more reliable, effective and cheap alternative to diagnose life-threatening disorders in the cerebrovascular system.
Grand Challenges
Viable, Healthy and Safe Communities
Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter: An Insight into Alternative Measurements of Intracranial Pressure
The optic nerve gives us insight into the brain, and measuring the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) allows a better, less invasive approach to the pathophysiology of the cerebrovascular system. Intracranial pressure (ICP) causes build-up and pressure on the brain, and that pressure surrounds the optic nerve causing it to expand. The diagnosis of ICP is invasive; this study aims to use ultrasound to diagnose ICP through the measurement of ONSD since its an easy, non-invasive technique. This study will include approximately 20 health participants with no history of cerebrovascular diseases such as hypertension or a concussion. During the experiment, ultrasound images will be taken of the participant's eye as a baseline; the participant will then be asked to perform the Valsalva maneuver, which entails holding their breath for 15 seconds to increase ICP in the brain. During this time, ultrasound pictures will be retaken to measure the change in ONSD to compare pre and post-Valsalva. We will also monitor the participant's beat-by-beat blood pressure (BP) to observe the correlation between BP and ONSD. This research is still ongoing; with 11 participants, we were able to prove significant results for the ONSD measurement. There was an increase in the ONSD between the baseline and Valsalva results as well as a correlation between BP and ONSD during Valsalva. The results also indicated that the ONSD measurement is sensitive enough to detect changes. This study aims to determine the validity of using ultrasound as a diagnostic tool since it is a faster, more reliable, effective and cheap alternative to diagnose life-threatening disorders in the cerebrovascular system.