Comparison of magnetic resonance imaging with computed tomography of the orbit

Abstract

Proton magnetic resonance(MR) imaging without utilization of surface coils was compared with high resolution computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of 15 patients with orbital or ocular mass lesions. We present five representative cases of lesions that were imaged. CT images of orbital lesions were superior to MR mainly because of direct visualization of orbital bone by CT. The advantages of MR included lack of ionizing radiation and potential of differentiating tissue characteristics of the lesions. Intraocular lesions were imaged with equal clarity by both modalities.