[Imaging of intraocular and orbital vessels using angiodynography]

Color Doppler imaging (CDI) is a recent advance in ultrasonography. It allows simultaneous two-dimensional structural imaging and evaluation of blood-flow characteristics. The velocity information of the scan is extracted and added to the images as color information. A total of 20 normal eyes and 30 patients with intraocular tumors were examined with this technique. The central retinal artery, the posterior cliliary arteries, the opthalmic artery and the central retinal vein could be located in all patients. In the intraocular tumors blood flow was detected reliably. Spectrum analysis of the displayed vessels allows semiquantitative assessment of blood flow in these vessels. This new technique of color Doppler imaging offers a new modality to study ocular and orbital blood flow.