The use of the term "choked disc" in medical literature: a review of case reports and cross-sectional studies across specialties.

BACKGROUND

The term "choked disc," was historically synonymous with papilledema, which indicates optic disc swelling due to increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Originally used to describe visible changes during ophthalmoscopic examinations in the late 19th century, its use has evolved. This review of literature aimed to investigate the contemporary application of "choked disc" across various medical disciplines, assess its diagnostic significance, and evaluate its consistency in usage

METHODS

A comprehensive search of literature published from January 2000 to January 2024 was conducted using Ovid MEDLINE and EMBASE. The review included peer-reviewed articles discussing "choked disc" in the context of case reports or observational studies.

RESULTS

A total of 25 studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing case reports, observational studies, and case series from diverse medical fields, such as neurosurgery, ophthalmology, and neurology. Our findings indicate that "choked disc" is predominantly used to indicate papilledema (72%), representing optic disc swelling associated with elevated ICP. However, the term was also applied to conditions like central vein retinal occlusion (4%), hypertensive retinopathy (4%), and other optic neuropathies (12%), reflecting a broader diagnostic usage.

CONCLUSIONS

The term "choked disc" is most often used in the medical literature to refer to papilledema. However, it was also used to refer to other optic neuropathies or hypertensive retinopathy. We recommend the use of standardized terminology (e.g., papilledema) to ensure accurate diagnosis and enhance interprofessional communication, ultimately improving patient management.