IOVS Journal of Neuroscience
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(Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 2006;47:5153-5162.)
© 2006 by The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc.
DOI:  10.1167/iovs.05-0372
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Demonstration of an Anterior Diffusional Pathway for Solutes in the Normal Human Eye with High Spatial Resolution Contrast-Enhanced Dynamic MR Imaging

Robert J. Bert,1 Shelton D. Caruthers,2 Hernan Jara,3 Jaroslaw Krejza,4,5 Elias R. Melhem,4 Nancy H. Kolodny,6 Samuel Patz,7 and Thomas F. Freddo8

1From the Department of Radiology, Health Sciences Center, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado; 2Philips Medical Systems, MRI, St. Louis, Missouri; the 3Departments of Radiology and 8Ophthalmology and Pathology, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts; the 4Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; the 5Department of Radiology, Gdansk Medical Academy, Gdansk, Poland; the 6Department of Chemistry, Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts; and 7Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.

PURPOSE. The present studies were conducted to determine whether a diffusional pathway for solutes exists from the ciliary body stroma to the anterior chamber of the human eye. The existence of such a pathway has been demonstrated in rabbits and monkeys, but such a pathway in humans would necessitate a shift in the physiological paradigm of the blood–aqueous barrier.

METHODS. Seven normal human volunteers (five men, two women; age range, 27 to 59 years) underwent nine dynamic T1-weighted, spin-echo MR imaging studies, using intravenous, gadolinium-based contrast agents.

RESULTS. In all cases, signal intensity rose rapidly in the ciliary body. In all subjects, there was a measurable latent rise in signal strength (enhancement) in the anterior chamber. Signal enhancement typically occurred in the angle of the anterior chamber earlier, and to a greater degree, than within the center of the chamber. Increased signal within the posterior chamber was significantly less than in the anterior chamber, with measured increases probably attributable to volume averaging.

CONCLUSIONS. These findings are consistent with the existence of an anterior diffusional pathway in the human eye. The model warrants further testing.






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