MRT of the eye: Normal anatomy and detection of minute lesions via a high-resolution surface coil

Purpose: A new high-resolution surface coil for MRI of the eye was evaluated with regard to practicability, image quality and sensitivity for small lesions. Material and methods: 48 patients in whom a space-occupying lesion of the eye or orbit was suspected were examined (1.5 T tomograph, 5 cm surface coil, T-1- and T-2-weighted spin-echo sequences, the former before and after i.v. gadolinium DTPA). Results: 45/48 patients tolerated MR with the high-resolution surface coil. No adverse effects were experienced. by the patients. In 11/48 patients a space occupying lesion of the eye was detected (melanoma, 5; metastases, 2; haemorrhage, 1; malformation, hamartoma and scarring after melanoma, one each). The smallest detectable lesion had a thickness of < 1 mm. Conclusion: First experiences with the high-resolution surface coil indicate that this device is suited for detection of very small lesions of the eye.