MRI OF THE ORBIT IN POSTTRAUMATIC FUNCTIONAL-DISORDERS OF EYE MOTILITY

Aim: To analyse the value of MRI for the assessment of posttraumatic d isturbances of eye motility. Material and methods: We analysed retrosp ectively the results of 38 MR examinations of the orbit in 31 patients with posttraumatic motility impairment with preserved visus. 18 patie nts underwent MRI preoperatively. From this group 5 patients were addi tionally examined postoperatively. Another 5 patients who had not been examined prior to surgery were controlled postoperatively. Hence, a t otal of 10 patients with persisting disturbances was examined postoper atively. 8 patients who underwent MRI were not treated by surgery beca use of only minor disturbances. In all patients conventional radiograp hy of the orbit was performed prior to MRI. Additional CT imaging was carried out in 12 patients. Results: In 18 patients examined preoperat ively we found displacement of orbital fat tissue, displacement and en trapment of orbital muscles, welling of muscles and oedema in retrobul bar fat tissue. 10 patients from the postoperative group exhibited rem aining prolapsed fat tissue, oedema in fat tissue and/or swelling of m uscles. 8 patients had only small soft tissue changes which did not re quire surgery. Conclusion: Since it can image soft tissue precisely, M RI provides the decisive information in the assessment of motility imp airment of the eye. In case of isolated orbital fracture with motility impairment, CT is not absolutely necessary for surgical therapy.