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Morning glory disc anomaly

AI overview

The morning glory disc anomaly (MGDA) is a congenital deformity resulting from failure of the optic nerve to completely form in utero.

Key points
  • The term was coined in 1970 by Kindler due to resemblance of the malformed optic nerve to the morning glory flower.
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    The term was coined in 1970 by Kindler, noting a resemblance of the malformed optic nerve to the morning glory flower.
  • The condition is usually unilateral.
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    The condition is usually unilateral.
Symptoms
  • Serous retinal detachment can occur in the affected eye.
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    Serous retinal detachment can occur in the affected eye.
Diagnosis
  • Diagnosis is made via fundoscopic examination identifying three principal findings.
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    On fundoscopic examination, there are three principal findings comprising the anomaly:
  • One finding is an enlarged, funnel-shaped excavation in the optic disc.
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    an enlarged, funnel-shaped excavation in optic disc
  • Another finding is an annulus or ring of chorioretinal pigmentary changes surrounding the optic disc excavation.
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    an annulus or ring of chorioretinal pigmentary changes surrounding the optic disc excavation
  • A third finding is a central glial tuft overlying the optic disc.
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    a central glial tuft overlying the optic disc
Red flags
  • Vascular defects associated with MGDA may lead to ischemia, stroke, or seizures.
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    The vascular defects may lead to ischemia, stroke, or seizures
  • A finding of MGDA should be further investigated with radiographic imaging.
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    a finding of MGDA should be further investigated with radiographic imaging
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Morning glory disc anomaly
Morning glory disc retinography
SpecialtyMedical genetics 

The morning glory disc anomaly (MGDA) is a congenital deformity resulting from failure of the optic nerve to completely form in utero.[1] The term was coined in 1970 by Kindler, noting a resemblance of the malformed optic nerve to the morning glory flower.[2] The condition is usually unilateral.[3]

Morning glory syndrome optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA)

Complications

Serous retinal detachment can occur in the affected eye.[4]

Associated conditions

Although the finding itself is rare, MGDA can be associated with midline cranial defects and abnormal carotid circulation, such as carotid stenosis/aplasia or progressive vascular obstruction with collateralization (also known as moyamoya disease).[4] The vascular defects may lead to ischemia, stroke, or seizures and so a finding of MGDA should be further investigated with radiographic imaging.

Morning glory syndrome optical coherence tomography (OCT)

On fundoscopic examination, there are three principal findings comprising the anomaly:[5]

  1. an enlarged, funnel-shaped excavation in optic disc
  2. an annulus or ring of chorioretinal pigmentary changes surrounding the optic disc excavation
  3. a central glial tuft overlying the optic disc

  1. ↑ Magrath, GN; Cheeseman EW; Sarrica RA (2013). "Morning Glory Disc Anomaly". Pediatric Neurology. 49 (6): 517. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2013.05.015.
  2. ↑ Kindler (1970). "Morning glory syndrome: unusual congenital optic disk anomaly". Am J Ophthalmol. 69 (3): 376–84. doi:10.1016/0002-9394(70)92269-5.
  3. ↑ Barnard, Simon. "An Introduction to Diseases of the Optic nerve". Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  4. 1 2 Quah, BL; Hamilton J; Blaser S; et al. (2005). "Morning glory disc anomaly, midline cranial defects and abnormal carotid circulation: an association worth looking for". Pediatr Radiol. 35 (5): 525–528. doi:10.1007/s00247-004-1345-y.
  5. ↑ Auber, AE; O'Hara M (1999). "Morning glory syndrome. MR imaging". Clin Imaging. 23: 152–158. doi:10.1016/s0899-7071(99)00118-7.