[Nuclear magnetic resonance tomography with surface coils--initial experiences in orbital diagnosis]

The use of surface coils in magnetic resonance imaging of the orbit leads to an increase in spatial resolution. With the first 14 patients in whom we used the method we obtained detailed images of the orbital topography, especially in cases with tumors and foreign bodies, but the method proved to be little use in finding minimal tissue changes of the muscles or of the optic nerve. The use of oblique views without moving the patients, enables the optic nerve to be imaged in one slice. Edge artefacts caused by "chemical shift" and motion artefacts caused by motion of the bulbs still diminish detail accuracy and contrast differentiation range. Since no side effects have been described so far, magnetic resonance imaging with a surface coil is a highly suitable complementary procedure in the diagnosis of orbital disease.