Learning objectives
To illustrate the CEUS findings of a wide spectrum of pathologies affecting the globe compared with HRUS.
Background
The retina is limited anteriorly by the ora serrata and posteriorly by the optic disk. In case of retinal detachment, the retina is visible within the vitreum as a mobile membrane. In case of complete detachment, anatomic limits of the retina allow a differential diagnosis with vitreal membranes, that are not attached to the ora serrata nor to the optic disk, and are more mobile compared to the retina. However, vitreal membranes related to clots or haemovitreum are usually associated with partial retinal detachments. These...
Imaging findings OR Procedure details
Scan technique, normal anatomy, and use of color Doppler The patient lies supine on the couch. An high-resolution broadband linear array is used. The probe is placed over the closed eyelid with a small amount of contact gel. An ultrasound scan of the eye, integrated with dynamic manoeuvres of the orbit, allows obtaining morphologic, quantitative, and kinetic information about anatomy and affections of the eye. Color Doppler imaging is helpful to demonstrate pathologic conditions associated to an abnormal vascular perfusion and blood stream direction. Moreover,...
Conclusion
CEUS plays a central role in the differential diagnosis between retinal detachment (vascular) and vitreous membranes (avascular). In addition, CEUS is helpful in the assessment of bulbar tumors, in the therapeutic program of choroidal melanoma and in the evaluation of neovascularization of orbital masses. HRUS is highly effective in the detection of traumatic and non-traumatic lesions of the globe but is not efficient in the assessment of the orbital wall lesions. In addition, CEUS is cost-effective and can be used when CT and MR cannot...
