EVALUATION OF INTRAOCULAR FOREIGN-BODIES BY SPIRAL COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY AND MULTIPLANAR RECONSTRUCTION

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the ability of spiral computed tomography (CT) and multiplanar reconstruction: in the assessment of intraocular foreign bodies. Design: The study design was experimental. Material: Three foreign bodies (metal, glass, and plastic) implanted into the globe of a cadaveric head were studied, Intervention: Spiral CT in the axial plane was used. Beam collimation and table increment w ere both 3 mm, whereby overlapping axial slices were reconstructed at 1-mm intervals, The data were transferred to a workstation, and recons tructions in the coronal and sagittal plane were performed. Main Outco me Measures: The ability to detect and evaluate localization, shape, a nd size of the foreign bodies in all three imaging planes was assessed . Results: All foreign bodies were detected in the axial and in both r econstructed planes, The metal foreign body caused imaging artifacts i n the axial plane. In the reconstructed planes, imaging artifacts were less severe, and evaluation of localization and shape was improved. G lass and plastic foreign bodies were well seen in all planes, and shap e and localization were well demonstrated, Appropriate window settings improved determination of size of the different foreign bodies. Concl usions: Spiral CT of the orbit and multiplanar reconstruction offers a promising tool for evaluation of intraocular foreign bodies. Advantag es of spiral CT compared to conventional CT are data acquisition in on ly one axial plane; shortened examination time; reduced radiation expo sure; reduced imaging artifacts from metallic foreign bodies in the re constructed planes; and demonstration of localization, shape, and size of the foreign body in three imaging planes.