Polytomoencephalography of the optic chiasm and adjacent structures.

The addition of polytomography considerably increases the sensitivity of pneumoencephalography. The chiasmatic area lends itself particularly well to investigation by polytomoencephalography. In a series of 28 patients, the transverse dimension of the optic chiasm ranged from 4 to 20 mm, with a mean of 18 mm. The posterior portion of the chiasm tended to be U-shaped; its anterior portion's shape was that of a dumbbell. Intrachiasmatic tumors distort and enlarge the chiasm. The diaphragma sella is also particularly well evaluated by this technique. The study is safe, reliable, and can be repeated as needed.