Computed tomography of the orbital lesions

The use of computed tomography in investigation of orbital lesions was of value for the localization of the lesions as well as making the specific diagnosis. We advocated the combined use of transverse axial section and contrast enhancement in CT as a routine procedure often including coronal section in the diagnosis of orbital lesions because of its usefulness and more precise three dimensional imaging. The authors examined 68 patients with various ophthalmic problems by EMI-CT scanner 5005 from October 1977 to November 1979. Fifty one orbital lesions out of 68 CT scans were analyzed by CT, angiography and operative findings and results were as follows; 1. Among 43 males and 25 females, their age range was from 4 months to 66 years with the most frequent age group of first decade (17 cases; 25%) 2. The distribution of the lesions was mucocele, pseudotumor, optic nerve atrophy, metastasis, lacrimal gland tumor, persistent hypertrophic primary vitreous, granulosa cell myoblastoma, hemangioma in order with 13 malignancies (25%). 3. It was difficult to differentiate pathological diagnosis of the lesions, but the character of the lesions was determined by its characteristic location, and its relationship to eyeball, optic nerve, extraocular muscles and bony orbit. 4. It was thought that more accurate diagnosis of orbital lesions could be made by development of CT scanner having fine matrix, short time exposure and thin slice in the future.