MR-IMAGING AND CT OF SURGICAL MATERIALS CURRENTLY USED IN OPHTHALMOLOGY - IN-VITRO AND IN-VIVO STUDIES

PURPOSE: To assess methods of imaging postoperative changes in the eye ball by performing in vitro and in vivo studies of the main solid and fluid materials used in the treatment of cataract and retinal detachme nt. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The samples were analyzed in vitro with com puted tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging performed at 0.5 T. In vivo studies were performed in seven patients who underwent lens implantation (n = 1), scleral buckling with hydrogel or silicone (n = 6), and retinopexy with gas or silicone oil (n = 6). The attenua tion and signal intensity of the materials were compared with values f or anatomic structures. RESULTS: Lens implants were difficult to visua lize. Each scleral buckling and retinopexy material was easily differe ntiated from the others and from anatomic structures at both CT and MR imaging. CONCLUSION: Postoperative CT or MR imaging may be useful aft er retinal detachment surgery, particularly when ultrasound is not rel iable after intravitreous gas-fluid interchange.