Role of B-scan ultrasonography in preoperative evaluation of posterior segment in dense cataract: An observational study in a tertiary eye care hospital

Abstract

Context: B-scan ultrasonography is a diagnostic tool available for use in dense cataracts that gives vital information on vitreous, retina, choroid, and sclera. Aims: This study was planned to determine the abnormalities of the posterior segment in the presence of dense cataracts using B-scan ultrasonography and to determine the sensitivity and specificity of it. Settings and Design: Observational study design. Subjects and Methods: This observational study was done in patients with dense cataracts of any age. All the study participants underwent anterior segment evaluation, vision assessment, and posterior segment evaluation using B-scan ultrasonography. After cataract surgery, fundus evaluation of these patients was done. Pearson Chi-square test was used for assessing sensitivity and specificity of B-scan ultrasonography. Results: A total of 184 eyes of 161 patients were analyzed. The mean age of the study group was 59.17 ± 10.65 years. Majority of the participants (76.4%) were from rural areas. Out of 161 participants, 23 had bilateral dense cataracts. Preoperative B-scan ultrasonography assessment in 184 eyes showed posterior vitreous detachment (n = 40), retinal detachment (n = 2), vitreous hemorrhage, posterior staphyloma, and asteroid hyalosis (n = 1 each). Sensitivity and specificity of B-scan were analyzed in 173 eyes. Pearson Chi-square test showed the sensitivity of B-scan ultrasonography to be 64.2%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, and negative predictive value of 81.5%. Conclusions: The study showed that B-scan is a good tool for diagnosing posterior segment pathologies in patients with dense cataracts.