Optic neuropathies: diagnostic role of standardized echography.

While large excavation, elevation and drusen of the optic disc are best detected with contact B-scan examination, standardized A-scan echography is needed to investigate properly and to differentiate optic nerve disease. Increased subarachnoidal fluid within the retrobulbar optic nerve, optic nerve atrophy and optic nerve tumors (glioma and meningioma) can be evidenced with standardized echography. Techniques and examples of ultrasound diagnosis of optic nerve disease are presented and discussed.