Abstract
Abstract BACKGROUND Optic pathway glioma (OPG) is a prevalent tumor affecting children with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), representing a diagnostic hallmark. OPGs, typically WHO grade 1 pilocytic astrocytomas, are characterized by an indolent course. Diagnosis and surveillance traditionally rely on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Routine NF1 pediatric surveillance includes annual eye examinations, encompassing visual acuity (VA) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), with MRI reserved for ophthalmological abnormalities. However, the precise correlation between altered OCT findings and OPG presence or size remains unclear, while the role of MRI in screening is contentious due to cost and anesthesia requirements. METHODS In this retrospective study, we sought to establish correlations between OCT changes and MRI-observed tumor volume in NF1-diagnosed children at a tertiary center. Clinical and ophthalmological data, including VA, fundoscopy, and OCT, were collected. Tumor volumes were assessed using the software Sophia DDMTM for Radiomics in two consecutive MRI scans in a randomly selected cohort of 50 untreated patients. RESULTS Among 409 NF1 patients, 132 (31%) were diagnosed with OPG (48% females = 64), revealing a significant association with plexiform neurofibroma (pNF) (p=0.03), thus indicating an elevated risk of concurrent tumor development. In the subcohort of patients in whom volumetric analysis was performed, the mean age at OPG diagnosis was 5.56 ± 3.59 years. While tumor volume on MRI correlated with VA (p=0.0007), OCT values did not: larger OPGs did not consistently result in thinner retinal nerve fiber layers, suggesting independence between OCT alterations and OPG size. CONCLUSIONS The observed lack of correlation among VA, retinal thickness (OCT), and tumor volume (MRI) underscores the importance of MRI as the gold standard for diagnosis. The strong association between pNFs and OPGs suggests considering whole-body MRI when an OPG is detected, facilitating comprehensive evaluation in NF1 patients.
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