Visual Determination of Conjugate Eye Deviation on Computed Tomography Scan Predicts Diagnosis of Stroke Code Patients

Abstract

Head computed tomography (CT) is critical for stroke code evaluations and often happens prior to completion of the neurological exam. Eye deviation on neuroimaging (DeyeCOM sign) has utility for predicting stroke diagnosis and correlates with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) gaze score. We further assessed the utility of the DeyeCOM sign, without complex caliper-based eye deviation calculations, but simply with a visual determination method. Patients with initial head CT and final diagnosis from an institutional review board-approved consecutive prospective registry of stroke codes at the University of California, San Diego, were included. Five stroke specialists and 1 neuroradiologist reviewed each CT. DeyeCOM+ patients were compared to DeyeCOM- patients (baseline characteristics, diagnosis, and NIHSS gaze score). Kappa statistics compared stroke specialists to neuroradiologist reads, and visual determination to caliper measurement of DeyeCOM sign. Of 181 patients, 46 were DeyeCOM+. Ischemic stroke was more commonly diagnosed in DeyeCOM+ patients compared to other diagnoses (P = .039). DeyeCOM+ patients were more likely to have an NIHSS gaze score of 1 or higher (P = .006). The NIHSS score of DeyeCOM+ stroke versus DeyeCOM- stroke patients was 8.3 ± 6.0 versus 6.7 ± 8.0 (P = .065). Functional outcomes were similar (P = .59). Stroke specialists had excellent agreement with the neuroradiologist (Κ = .89). Visual inspection had excellent agreement with the caliper method (Κ = .88). Using a time-sensitive visual determination of gaze deviation on imaging was predictive of ischemic stroke diagnosis and presence of NIHSS gaze score, and was consistent with the more complex caliper method. This study furthers the clinical utility of the DeyeCOM sign for predicting ischemic strokes.