Faculty Collaboration Database

Color Doppler flow imaging of the normal and abnormal orbit. Radiology 1989 Nov;173(2):511-6

Date

11/01/1989

Pubmed ID

2678264

DOI

10.1148/radiology.173.2.2678264

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0024385074 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   210 Citations

Abstract

Twenty-six normal orbits (16 subjects) and seven patients with suspected orbital disease were studied with color Doppler flow imaging CDFI). Arterial structures consistently identified included the ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, and posterior ciliary branches. The terminal lacrimal branch was seen in the majority of orbits (n = 19). Venous structures consistently seen included the central retinal vein and venae vorticosae; the superior ophthalmic vein was identified in the majority of normal orbits (n = 22). Response of the superior ophthalmic vein to the Valsalva maneuver was assessed in six of the normal subjects (12 orbits). Retrograde flow was typically seen during the maneuver and accentuated antegrade flow after cessation of the maneuver. Pathologic entities correctly diagnosed with CDFI included a dural arteriovenous malformation (AVM) with spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistula, an orbital AVM, and superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis. Vascular lesions were excluded in two patients with orbital masses. Bilaterally enlarged superior ophthalmic veins were identified in a patient with unilateral symptoms suggestive of a varix; CDFI results were confirmed with computed tomography, but orbital venograms were interpreted as normal. These findings suggest that CDFI may be helpful in the evaluation of suspected vascular orbital disease.

Author List

Erickson SJ, Hendrix LE, Massaro BM, Harris GJ, Lewandowski MF, Foley WD, Lawson TL

Authors

Scott J. Erickson MD Professor in the Radiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Gerald J. Harris MD Professor in the Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Aged
Blood Flow Velocity
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Ophthalmic Artery
Orbit
Orbital Diseases
Ultrasonography
Veins