Optical coherence tomography under general anesthesia in a child with nystagmus.

PURPOSE: To describe a method that permits optical coherence tomography scanning to be performed under general anesthesia.

DESIGN

Observational case report.

METHODS

A 7-year-old child underwent optical coherence tomography scanning under general anesthesia. He was positioned prone, with the neck extended to enable vertical facial alignment on the scanner. An anti-Trendelenburg trend on the operating table minimized the degree of neck extension required. Intravenous fluids, modest ventilator airway pressures, and compression stockings were used to minimize perioperative hemodynamic disturbance and the potential for orthostatic hypotension associated with the anti-Trendelenburg trend.

RESULTS

High-quality, diagnostically important optical coherence tomography scans were obtained.

CONCLUSION

With appropriate patient positioning and anesthetic management, optical coherence tomography scanning can be performed on uncooperative adults and children under general anesthesia.