Topographic localization of an intraocular foreign body by B-scan echography

Abstract

In cases of blurred optic media the ultrasound diagnostics offers useful data about eventual presence of intraocular foreign body as well as about its precise localization in the eye. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze echographic findings in patients with the diagnosis of intraocular foreign body with a special interest in localizations of a intraocular foreign body in the eye and the presence of an eventual infection - endophthalmitis. The aim of this study was also to confirm the localization of intraocular foreign body by echography and to test the precision of this method. We performed analysis of all cases that had been referred to the ultrasound diagnostices, in which the presence of intraocular foreign body had been confirmed in the period of one year. All examinations were done with B-scan and were confirmed during the surgery - vitrectomy. In the one-year period we were contacted by 27 patients with intraocular foreign body. In one injured eye the intraocular foreign body was in the lens (3.70%), in 10 injured eyes (37.03%) intraocular foreign body was in the vitreal body. In 15 patients (55.5%) intraocular foreign body was fixed in the retina. In one patient (3.70%) there was a perforating injury, intraocular foreign body was found in the retrobulbar part of the orbit. In 7 injured eyes (25.9%), with the presence of intraocular foreign body, we found signs of endophthalmitis (organized blurring in vitreal space, thickened choroid). Other accompanying echographic findings were: blood in vitreal space, haemophthalmus in 12 cases (44.4%), retinal detachment in 5 cases (18.5%) and subretinal hemorrhagies in 4 cases (14.8%). Ultrasound diagnostics can very precisely show the localization of intraocular foreign body in the eye that is very important in the choice of approach and timing of surgical treatment. Also the echographic diagnostics may find an accompanying endophthalmitis in the posterior segment of the eye, that is very important for an urgent therapeutic approach.