MRI has improved soft tissue characterization, and diffusion-weighted imaging may be particularly useful in situations where lymphoma is a consideration [31]. Although contrast is preferred, an MRI of the orbits without contrast may be appropriate if contrast cannot be given. An MRI of the head without and with contrast may also be added to assess the extent of intracranial disease and to evaluate for distant intracranial metastasis. A CT of the orbits is complementary in assessing orbital lesion characteristics and the extent of disease in this clinical presentation [7]. Orbital inflammatory conditions including thyroid eye disease, IgG4-related disease, and idiopathic orbital inflammatory syndrome may all present with unilateral or bilateral proptosis as a clinical manifestation. Like other orbital conditions, patients with these conditions may be imaged with CT or MRI, and these modalities provide overlapping information related to disease extent. Currently, there is no consensus on the optimal imaging modality to assess patients presenting with idiopathic orbital inflammatory disease or IgG4-related orbital disease. If intracranial extension is suspected, an MRI of the head is the preferred next step in assessment. CT For assessment of orbital asymmetry, CT of the orbits with contrast is complementary to MRI [7]. In the setting of thyroid eye disease, CT provides useful information about orbital, muscle, and fat volumes and osseous anatomy, particularly when orbital decompression is a surgical consideration [7,32-34]. Orbital inflammatory conditions including thyroid eye disease, IgG4-related disease, and idiopathic orbital inflammatory disease may all present with unilateral or bilateral proptosis as a clinical manifestation. Like other orbital conditions, patients with these conditions may be imaged with CT or MRI, and these modalities provide overlapping information related to disease extent.
Orbits Vision and Visual Loss. MRI has improved soft tissue characterization, and diffusion-weighted imaging may be particularly useful in situations where lymphoma is a consideration [31]. Although contrast is preferred, an MRI of the orbits without contrast may be appropriate if contrast cannot be given. An MRI of the head without and with contrast may also be added to assess the extent of intracranial disease and to evaluate for distant intracranial metastasis. A CT of the orbits is complementary in assessing orbital lesion characteristics and the extent of disease in this clinical presentation [7]. Orbital inflammatory conditions including thyroid eye disease, IgG4-related disease, and idiopathic orbital inflammatory syndrome may all present with unilateral or bilateral proptosis as a clinical manifestation. Like other orbital conditions, patients with these conditions may be imaged with CT or MRI, and these modalities provide overlapping information related to disease extent. Currently, there is no consensus on the optimal imaging modality to assess patients presenting with idiopathic orbital inflammatory disease or IgG4-related orbital disease. If intracranial extension is suspected, an MRI of the head is the preferred next step in assessment. CT For assessment of orbital asymmetry, CT of the orbits with contrast is complementary to MRI [7]. In the setting of thyroid eye disease, CT provides useful information about orbital, muscle, and fat volumes and osseous anatomy, particularly when orbital decompression is a surgical consideration [7,32-34]. Orbital inflammatory conditions including thyroid eye disease, IgG4-related disease, and idiopathic orbital inflammatory disease may all present with unilateral or bilateral proptosis as a clinical manifestation. Like other orbital conditions, patients with these conditions may be imaged with CT or MRI, and these modalities provide overlapping information related to disease extent.