MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING VERSUS BONE-SCAN FOR ASSESSMENT OF VASCULARIZATION OF THE HYDROXYAPATITE ORBITAL IMPLANT

We prospectively studied 10 patients who were status postenucleation a nd primary placement of the hydroxyapatite orbital implant. Both the t echnetium-99m bone scan and gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance ima ges (MRI) were obtained on the same day at variable time points in the postoperative period in order to assess the degree of vascularization . Up to 78% of the bone scans were interpreted as being completely vas cularized, while only 10% of the corresponding MRI scans were consiste nt with complete vascularization. Cost analysis showed that MRI was a cost-effective imaging modality. We conclude that contrast-enhanced MR I provides a more accurate assessment of vascularization of the hydrox yapatite orbital implant when compared to bone scan.