Evaluation of the globe using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

This article is a review of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in three groups of pathological conditions of the globe: a) malignant tumors, b) benign tumors and vascular lesions, and c) miscellaneous conditions. MRI technical refinements and the use of gadolinium-DTPA as an enhancement agent provide better anatomic definition of the globe. However, CT remains the method of choice in the investigation of lesions with calcification and bone. In the group of malignant tumors, retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular tumor in childhood, is best diagnosed with CT; for malignant melanoma, the most frequently encountered primary intraocular malignancy in adults, MR is the imaging modality of choice; and for metastatic tumors to the eye, mainly carcinomas, CT and MRI do not show characteristic features.