MR changes in the calcarine area resulting from retinal degeneration.

PURPOSE To study MR images for atrophic changes in the calcarine area resulting from retinal degeneration.

METHODS MR images from nine patients with retinal degeneration confirmed by ophthalmologic examination and from 30 healthy volunteers were reviewed. The causes of retinal degeneration were hereditary pigmentary degeneration of the retina (four patients), high myopia (two patients), and chorioretinal atrophy (three patients); all patients had visual disturbances and visual field abnormalities. To estimate the morphological changes of the calcarine area, the widths of the right and left calcarine fissures were measured on T1-weighted sagittal images and compared with images from age-matched control subjects.

RESULTS The calcarine fissures were significantly dilated in the patients with retinal degeneration. The anterior and middle points, which represent the peripheral visual field center, were more dilated than the posterior point.

CONCLUSION The MR findings suggested calcarine atrophy related to retinal degeneration. Transneuronal degenerative changes may occur in the calcarine area after retinal degeneration.