Calcified scleral plaques imaged on orbital computed tomography

PURPOSE: To identify calcified scleral plaques on orbital computed tomography, METHODS: We identified all orbital computed tomographic scans at one center from January 1, 1994, through December 31, 1994, Orbital computed tomographic scans of 145 patients were reviewed to determine the presence or absence of the typical appearance of calcified scleral plaques on film. RESULTS: Of the 145 scans reviewed, nine (6.2%) demonstrated calcified scleral plaques. Seven (22.6%) of 31 scans obtained on patients older than 70 years demonstrated calcified scleral plaques. CONCLUSIONS: Calcified plaques of the sclera commonly appear on orbital computed tomographic scans, especially in elderly patients. This entity should be included in the differential diagnosis of ocular calcifications, Familiarity with the computed tomographic findings of calcified scleral plaques may help ophthalmologists and radiologists distinguish them from intrascleral metallic foreign bodies. (Am J Ophthalmol 1999;127:461-463, (C) 1999 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.).