Central retinal artery delineation using magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose: Few studies have explored the central retinal artery (CRA) using neuroimaging. Our study aimed to explore this using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: A total of 81 patients with intact orbital structures and visual function underwent thin-slice contrast MRI.

Results: The identified CRAs showed highly variable morphologies on both axial and sagittal images. On the axial images, the CRAs were detected in the right orbit in 11.1% and in the left orbit in 19.8%. The distance between the site of CRA branching from the ophthalmic artery to the posterior limit of the bulb was 18.8 ± 3.9 mm (12.8-24.6 mm) on the right and 18.9 ± 3.3 mm (14.6-26.7 mm) on the left. On the sagittal images, CRAs were detected on the right in 76.5% and on the left in 85.2%. The distance between the CRA branching site and the posterior limit of the bulb was 20.4 ± 3.8 mm (14.2-28.2 mm) on the right and 19.2 ± 3.7 mm (11.3-27.1 mm) on the left.

Conclusions: Thin-sliced, contrast sagittal MRI can be used to explore the proximal part of the CRA. In particular, serial sagittal imaging may be useful for detecting the CRAs and their relationship with relevant structures.