Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Neurological Disease

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Neurological Disease: A Pilot Study

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) is a non-invasive tool that images the neurovascular structures of the eye by using near-infrared light. Previous literature has demonstrated the potential of OCTA as a screening tool in stroke, but its utility in other neurological illness such as intracranial hemorrhage is unclear. Hence, this pilot study will gather preliminary data to support future grant applications to investigate this area more fully by recruiting patients with neurological illness and healthy controls and comparing their OCTA imaging parameters.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18 years or older
• Patient admitted to the neuroscience intensive care unit with a diagnosis of: subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracerebral hemorrhage, intracranial aneurysm (ruptured or unruptured), intracranial vascular malformation, ischemic stroke, seizure disorder, intracranial infection, intracranial tumor(s), inflammatory demyelinating disease, traumatic brain injury and/or neuromuscular respiratory failure OR subjects from the community without major neurologic, cardiovascular, pulmonary or metabolic disease

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy
• Non-English speaking
• GCS motor score less than 6 (i.e. must be able to follow commands)
• Temporary or permanent physical limitation that renders the patient unable to sit up and look inside OCTA device