High-resolution ultrasonic imaging and characterization of the ciliary body.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a means for noninvasive in vivo visualization of the ciliary processes using very-high-frequency (50 MHz) ultrasound and to develop quantitative morphologic descriptors that may relate to physiologic function.


METHODS
The region of the ciliary body was scanned with very-high-frequency ultrasound, both in rabbits and in normal human subjects. Data were acquired in a series of planes so that the spacing between them was less than the beam width of the transducer in its focal plane. Three-dimensional perspective images were constructed, representing the anatomy of the angle region, including the ciliary processes. The automatically detected boundaries of the ciliary processes were analyzed to compute their periphery, area, shape factor, and fractal dimension. These measures were compared between the human and the rabbit eye and analyzed for periodicities related to the spacing of successive processes.


RESULTS
Three-dimensional images allowed visualization of the radial arrangement of the processes. All biometric descriptors were significantly different between the rabbit and human eye and showed periodicities consistent with spacing between processes.


CONCLUSIONS
The methods described in this report are sensitive descriptors of the state of the ciliary processes. These techniques may be of value in measurement of changes in the ciliary body associated with disease, medical therapy, and aging.
Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York 10021, USA. prof@boodle.med.cornell.edu
R H
RH
Silverman
F L
FL
Lizzi
B G
BG
Ursea
M J
MJ
Rondeau
N B
NB
Eldeen
A
A
Kaliscz
H O
HO
Lloyd
D J
DJ
Coleman
D000818:Animals; D002924:Ciliary Body / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011817:Rabbits; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods