CT scanning in the ‘neuro-ocular plane’: The optic pathways as a ‘new’ cephalic plane

Abstract

The authors propose a ‘new’ cephalic plane of orientation, the neuro-ocular plane (NOP). This plane corresponds to the plane of the visual pathways from the cornea to the calcarine fissure. It is oriented 7° to the FVP and thus may be rapidly and easily determined. In the clinical situation CT scanning in the NOP is especially valuable in visual disorders as (while providing a significantly lower dose of irradiation to the lens), it allows optimal evaluation of the entire afferent visual pathway. The NOP follows Broca's intuition, one century ago, about the physiological position of the head in ‘erect’ man.