MR and CT Imaging of the Normal Eyelid and its Application in Eyelid Tumors

T-staging of most eyelid malignancies includes the assessment of the integrity of the tarsal plate and orbital septum, which are not clinically accessible. Given the contribution of MRI in the characterization of orbital tumors and establishing their relations to nearby structures, we assessed its value in identifying different eyelid structures in 38 normal eyelids and evaluating tumor extension in three cases of eyelid tumors. As not all patients can receive an MRI, we evaluated those same structures on CT and compared both results. All eyelid structures were identified on MRI and CT, except for the conjunctiva on both techniques and for the tarsal muscles on CT. Histopathology confirmed the MRI findings of orbital septum invasion in one patient, and the MRI findings of intact tarsus and orbital septum in another patient. Histopathology could not confirm or exclude tarsal invasion seen on MRI on two patients. Although imaging the eyelid is challenging, the identification of most eyelid structures is possible with MRI and, to a lesser extent, with CT and can, therefore, have an important contribution to the T-staging of eyelid tumors, which may improve treatment planning and outcome.