Diagnosis by ultrasonography and CT scan in orbital vascular tumors and malformations

Abstract

To analyze the value of ultrasonography (standardized A/B scan) and CT scan in the diagnosis of orbital vascular tumors and vascular malformations. One hundred and eight cases of orbital vascular tumors and malformations were studied, including 98 cases examined by ultrasonography, 108 cases examined by CT scan and 94 cases studied by orbital operation and pathological examination. There were 54 cases of cavernous hemangioma, 26 cases of varix, 13 cases of venous hemangioma, 6 cases of lymphangioma, 5 cases of infantile hemangioma and 4 cases of others disorders. The tumor could be detected in ultrasonography in 96/98 cases (98%), the false negative rate of ultrasonography was 2% (2/98). The nature of the tumor could be determined by ultrasonography in 93% (91/98) cases pre-operatively. The tumor could be found by CT in all cases (108/108). The nature of the tumor could be determined by CT in 92% (99/108) cases pre-operatively. Combined ultrasonography with CT scan can estimate the nature, extent and location of orbital vascular tumors and malformations and can be useful for selection of the route of orbital operation.