Abstract

Central Retinal Artery Occlusion on Computed Tomography

Author(s): Sunny Chi Lik Au

Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a blinding diseases caused by the sudden blockage of the central retinal artery [1]. Subsequent retinal hypoperfusion causes rapid progressive cellular damage [2].  In modern emergency medicine practice, multiple centers already adopted neuroimaging scanning stroke protocols. Many patients with CRAO actually undergo Computed Tomography (CT) and even Computed Tomography angiography (CTA) in the search for embolism, which is the commonest cause of CRAO stroke [3]. Besides, CT also helps to to rule out intracranial hemorrhage and determine if the patient is a candidate for thrombolytic therapy. Cholesterol, calcium, and platelet-fibrin emboli are 3 main types of emboli found in CRAO [4]. Both cholesterol and platelet-fibrin emboli typically arise from atheromas in the carotid arteries. Calcium emboli typically arise from cardiac valves. Spectral detector CT is a technology that uses two layers of detectors to simultaneously collect low and high energy data [5]. It can accurately differentiate blood from iodinated contrast, thus applicable in cardiovascular diseases and CRAO [6].