NYMC Faculty Publications
Rabies Encephalitis and the Use of Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter to Detect Elevated Intracranial Pressure
Author Type(s)
Faculty
DOI
10.7759/cureus.32154
Journal Title
Cureus
First Page
e32154
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2022
Department
Ophthalmology
Abstract
Rabies is a rare but rapidly progressive and almost universally fatal disease. A previously healthy 59-year-old male presented with rabies encephalitis. We measured his optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) daily in both eyes using ultrasonography to indirectly monitor for elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). We performed CT and MRI brain on days when his ONSD changed significantly. An increase in ONSD temporally correlated with radiologic findings of cerebral edema and acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). ONSD measurement is a fast, inexpensive, and widely-available imaging modality that may serve as a surrogate marker for elevated ICP. It may be especially useful in patients who are difficult to be transported to radiology due to the unstable nature of their disease.
Recommended Citation
Arreaza Kaufman, D., Teng, E., & Biro, N. (2022). Rabies Encephalitis and the Use of Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter to Detect Elevated Intracranial Pressure. Cureus, 14 (12), e32154. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.32154
