Brain edema is a common complication of traumatic brain injury which must be diagnosed as soon as possible and closely monitored. The most effective way to show an increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) is through invasive methods, yet this may cause issues such as bleeding, infection, improper positioning & device malfunction. Likewise, it is not always available in many healthcare facilities, Hence, noninvasive methods have been developed for detection of elevated ICP.
Sonographic evaluation of the optic nerve's intraorbital section is possible due to its tubular shape and the fact that it has been encircled by the same meningeal layers as the brain. studied cases with intracranial hypertension have an expanded optic nerve sheath diameter & this enlargement is correlated with results from head computed tomography scans as well as data from non-invasive & invasive intracranial pressure measures.
As a result, optic nerve sonography might be utilized as an extra non-invasive diagnostic technique to detect high ICP and to evaluate brain edema resolution following dehydrating measures, Also high optic nerve sheath diameter values correlate with high risk or morbidity and mortality.