Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Trigeminal Nerves in Relapsing Herpetic Keratouveitis

作者：Rousseau Antoine; Nasser Ghaidaa; Chiquet Christophe; Barreau Emmanuel; Gendron Gael; Kaswin Godefroy; M'Garrech Mohamed; Benoudiba Farida; Ducreux Denis^*; Labetoulle Marc

来源：PLos One, 2015, 10(4): e0122186.

DOI：10.1371/journal.pone.0122186

Background
Corneal hypoesthesia is the landmark of HSV and VZV keratitis and can lead to neurotrophic keratitis. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) derived technique, which offers possibilities to study axonal architecture. We aimed at assessing the potential impact of recurrent HSV or VZV-related keratitis on the axonal architecture of trigeminal nerves using DTI.
Design
Prospective non-interventional study.
Participants
Twelve patients and 24 controls.
Methods
DTI using MRI of the trigeminal fibers and corneal esthesiometry using the Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer were acquired for patients affected by unilateral and recurrent HSV or VZVrelated keratitis (3 months after the last corneal inflammatory event), and control subjects with no history of ocular or neuronal disease affecting the trigeminal pathways.
Main Outcome Measures
Fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were compared between the 2 eyes of both patients and controls, and correlated with corneal esthesiometry.
Results
FA was lower in the trigeminal fibers ipsilateral to the affected eye compared to the non-affected side (0.39 +/- 0.02 versus 0.46 +/- 0.04, P=0.03). This difference was more important than the intra-individual variability observed in controls. Concomitantly, the asymmetry in ADC results was significantly correlated with the loss of corneal sensitivity in the affected eye.
Conclusions
Corneal hypoesthesia related to HSV and VZV keratitis is associated with persistent modifications in the architecture and functionality of the trigeminal fibers. These results add further explanation to the pathogenesis of HSV and VZV-induced neurotrophic keratitis, which may occur despite an apparent quiescence of the disease.

• 出版日期2015-4-1