MRI of intraocular diseases in children

The accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment of retinoblastoma is important. We examined 5 eyes (4 patients) with retinoblastoma and 3 eyes (3 patients) with persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV) via nuclear magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI). The findings were evaluated by inversion recovery (IR) imaging, short spin echo (SE) imaging, long SE imaging, T1 value and T2 value. In comparison with conventional computed axial tomography(CT), MRI showed clearer images of vitreous change; in long SE imaging the areas of retinoblastoma appeared extremely low in intensity, as contrasted with the higher intensity of the vitreous. The retinoblastoma was of higher intensity on T1 value than PHPV, but was of lower intensity on T2 value. (author)