title: Computed tomography in the diagnosis of retinoblastoma.
abstract: The role of orbital computed tomography (CT) in the management of retinoblastoma is reviewed. All 21 patients with retinoblastoma studied with high-resolution computed tomography had intraocular calcification demonstrable in at least one eye. 83% of tumours showed evidence of calcification on CT scan. The degree of calcification appeared to depend on tumour size; only small tumours were devoid of calcification. The amount and distribution of calcification was similar on both histological study and CT scan. In patients under 3 years old in whom a retinoblastoma is suspected the presence of calcification on CT is virtually diagnostic of it. Patients with leucocoria without calcification on CT probably have a simulating lesion.
mesh_terms: D002114:Calcinosis / Q000209:etiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed