Aim

The aim was to compare the measurements of anterior orbital lesions obtained using magnetic resonance imaging with surface coil, as well as standard- and high-frequency ultrasound.

Material and methods

Patients were enrolled in this retrospective study, if they had all three imaging studies performed as a part of the diagnostic management. A high-frequency ultrasound was performed using and immersion add-on (ClearScan®, Ellex).

Results

The study group consisted of 7 men and 10 women at the mean age of 59 years. The lesions these subjects presented with included 5 (29.4%) haemangiomas, 3 (17.6%) varices, and 2 (11.8%) metastases. A mean anterior-posterior dimension was 8.87 mm, 7.59 mm and 7.50 mm in magnetic resonance imaging, standard-ultrasound and high-frequency ultrasound, respectively. A mean transverse dimension was 9.85 mm, 9.69 mm and 8.93 mm in magnetic resonance imaging, standard-ultrasound and high-frequency ultrasound, respectively. In 12 cases (70.6%), the difference between magnetic resonance imaging and high-frequency ultrasound measurements in anterior-posterior dimension was <1.0 mm, in 2 cases (11.8%), between 1.0 mm and 3.0 mm, and >3.0 mm in 2 cases (11.8%). For the transverse dimension, the difference was <1.0 mm in 7 cases (41.1%), between 1.0 mm and 3.0 mm in 7 cases (41.1%), and >3.0 mm in 3 cases (11.8%). The difference between magnetic resonance imaging and standard ultrasound measurements in anterior-posterior dimension was <1.0 mm in 12 cases (70.5%), between 1.0 mm and 3.0 mm in 4 cases (23.5%), and >3.0 mm in 1 case (5%). For the transverse dimension, the difference was <1.0 mm in 7 cases (41.1%), between 1.0 mm and 3.0 mm in 5 cases (29.4%), and >3.0 mm in 2 cases (11.8%).

Conclusions

The anterior-posterior dimension measured by magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound was comparable in 82.3% of cases (the difference was within 3.0 mm), while a transverse measurement bore a higher error. High frequency ultrasound might represent an interesting alternative to orbital magnetic resonance imaging while maintaining the appropriate technique.