Radiologic findings in infected and noninfected scleral buckles.
OBJECTIVE
To present the radiologic findings in scleral buckle infections and in the early postoperative period after scleral buckling.


METHODS
Retrospective multicenter orbital computed tomography (CT) study of 14 patients and brain magnetic resonance (MR) in one patient with scleral buckle infections, some with the referring diagnosis of endophthalmitis, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, orbital cellulitis, or unilateral headache. The control population consisted of early postoperative prospective CT study of 38 consecutive patients with scleral buckle without clinical infection.


RESULTS
Diffuse scleral thickening and preseptal soft tissue swelling were noted in acute scleral buckle infections. Scleral thickening decreased radiologically following prompt antibiotic therapy in five patients with acute infections. Silicone sponge had low attenuation without infection and high attenuation with infection. In chronically infected scleral buckle, the sclera was thickened around the buckle, with scleral melt under the buckle. MR showed increased signal intensity in the preseptal region in one patient with chronic fungal infection. In the controls, two had thickening of the sclera without soft tissue swelling.


CONCLUSIONS
CT or MR can assist in the early diagnosis and management of scleral buckle infections.
Mansour
A M
AM
Department of Ophthalmology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. dr.ahmad@cyberia.net.lb
Han
D P
DP
Kim
J E
JE
Uwaydat
S H
SH
Sibai
A
A
Medawar
W A
WA
Li
H K-F
HK
Rjeily
J A
JA
Salti
H I
HI
Bashshur
Z
Z
Hourani
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054517:Orbital Cellulitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012591:Scleral Buckling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D018630:Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative / Q000175:diagnosis*