Optic Nerve Optical Coherence Tomography Correlates with Brain Swelling and Intracranial Pressure in Cerebral Malaria

In children with cerebral malaria (CM) severe brain swelling on MRI is a prognostic marker for fatal outcomes due; to herniation of the brainstem and respiratory arrest. Children with CM usually do not have access to MRI.; Characteristic retinal changes have been shown using hand-held optical coherence tomography (HH-OCT).; However, correlation of optic nerve (ON) parameters to brain swelling on MRI and cerebrospinal fluid opening; pressure (CSF-OP) has not been investigated. We examined whether using HH-OCT in CM allows identification of; children with brain swelling needing early intervention.