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ObservationalCurrent medical imaging · 2026

Utility of Diffusion-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Differentiating Connective Tissue Disease–associated Optic Neuritis from Idiopathic Optic Neuritis.

Yanli Hou, Hang Zhou, Rui Li … Yanling Wang

OphthalmologyObservational

DWI hyperintensity plus poor outcome accurately identifies connective tissue disease-associated optic neuritis

Utility of Diffusion-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Differentiating Connective Tissue Disease–associated Optic Neuritis from Idiopathic Optic Neuritis.

Yanli Hou … Yanling Wang

Current medical imaging · 2026

Background

To evaluate the feasibility of using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) to differentiate connective tissue disease-associated optic neuritis(CTD-ON) from idiopathic optic neuritis (idiopathic optic neuritis).

Methods

Twenty-five patients (36 eyes) were comorbid with CTD, and 41 patients (49 eyes) had idiopathic optic neuritis and served as controls.

n = 49 eyes

Results

correctly flagged connective tissue-related optic neuritis in most cases, with few false alarms

OR 2.59 (95% CI 1.38 to 4.86)

null 1

1.38

4.86

CI excludes the null - significant

More results

Compared with the idiopathic optic neuritis group, patients with CTD-ON showed significantly more severe visual impairment and worse prognosis (P < 0.05).

More results

Optic nerve hyperintensity on DWI (DWI-H) was a significant risk factor for visual acuity at onset and final visual outcome in optic neuritis patients [ORs = 1.893 (95% CI: 1.322-2.711, P < 0.001), 1.716 (95% CI: 1.094-2.691, P = 0.019), respectively].

Acute CTD-ON patients were at higher risk of poor visual outcomes [OR = 2.593 (95% CI: 1.384-4.857, P = 0.003)].

“

Conclusion · 1 of 2

Patients with CTD-optic neuritis demonstrate more severe visual impairment than those with idiopathic optic neuritis.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

The presence of DWI hyperintensity and poor prognosis in patients with optic neuritis should raise suspicion for CTD-optic neuritis in the appropriate clinical setting.

Post

Utility of Diffusion-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Differentiating Connective Tissue Disease–associated Optic Neuritis from Idiopathic Optic Neuritis.

DWI hyperintensity plus poor outcome accurately identifies connective tissue disease-associated optic neuritis

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