title: MR imaging findings of endophthalmitis.
abstract: Endophthalmitis is a sight-threatening ophthalmologic emergency. The clinical diagnosis is often challenging, and delayed diagnosis may exacerbate the poor visual prognosis. B-scan ultrasonography or spectral domain optical coherence tomography are imaging aids at the clinician's office. Cross-sectional imaging such as CT and particularly MRI can also help in the assessment of disease extent or complications. MR imaging findings are rarely described in the literature. Here, we discuss the spectrum of imaging findings of endophthalmitis and correlate them with key anatomic and pathophysiologic details of the globe. Early disease is often subtle on MR imaging with thick uveal enhancement, while advanced disease demonstrates retinal/choroidal detachment, vitreal exudates and peribulbar inflammation. Other noninfectious inflammatory diseases of the globe can show similar findings; however, MR diffusion-weighted images help identify infectious exudates and evaluate response to therapy. Knowledge of the spectrum of imaging findings of this disease is important for radiologists and help in the management decision process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, USA.
authors.forename: Rupa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Radhakrishnan
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, USA.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cornelius
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, USA.
authors.forename: Mary Beth
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Cunnane
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, USA.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Golnik
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, USA moralehc@ucmail.uc.edu.
authors.forename: Humberto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Morales
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: Endophthalmitis; computed tomography; diffusion-weighted images; globe infection; magnetic resonance imaging; ocular infection