Ocular trauma: evaluation with US.

Objective: To examine the value of real-time ultrasonography (US) in the assessment of traumatized eyes with opaque ocular media.

Methods: Sixty-one eyes in 60 patients were prospectively examined with US; findings were correlated with findings of clinical and surgical follow-up. Patients with an intraocular foreign body (IOFB) also underwent computed tomography (CT).

Results: US demonstrated 56 vitreous hemorrhages, 21 retinal detachments, 12 vitreous detachments, five choroidal detachments, seven IOFBs, three dislocated lenses, and two retrohyaloid hemorrhages. Findings of US and surgery or clinical follow-up were in complete concurrence in 55 cases (90%) and partial concurrence in two cases (3%). US findings were incorrect in four cases (7%). In four cases, US allowed diagnoses that were unsuspected clinically.

Conclusions: US accurately demonstrates ocular damage and may reveal unsuspected problems. US was superior to CT in demonstration of intraocular damage associated with IOFBs, although CT was superior in determination of the size and site of the IOFB. The presence of dense vitreous traction bands may indicate impending retinal detachment.