[Orbital vasculonervous network and orbital surgical compartments by high field magnetic resonance].
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate the possibilities and indications of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the study of the orbit and its contents.


METHODS
Orbital anatomy was studied in sliced specimens of fifteen fresh frozen cadavers and the results were compared with those obtained in thirty asymptomatic subjects who underwent a magnetic resonance with 1.5 Tesla equipment. The information obtained was used to interpret the findings in twenty-two patients with various orbital diseases.


RESULTS
High-resolution MRI allows visualization of structures difficult to assess previously, like the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounding the optic nerve, the complete intraorbital route and the exit of the third cranial nerve, the ophthalmic artery and the intraorbital relationships of the sixth cranial nerve, which can be clearly differentiated from the lateral rectus muscle.


CONCLUSIONS
High-resolution MRI is a very useful tool for the study of the orbit and its content. It provides accurate diagnoses through non-invasive procedures and facilitates the planning of the surgical approaches by improving the visualization of pathologic orbital structures. lcarlos@correo.uniovi.es
Departamento de Morfología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo (Asturias), España.
L C
LC
Hernández González
E
E
Suárez Suárez
V
V
Dos Santos Bernardo
J
J
Junceda Moreno
M
M
Recio Rodríguez
V
V
Martínez De Vega
J
J
Viaño López
D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009415:Nerve Net; D009915:Orbit / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000294:innervation* / Q000601:surgery