title: Ocular ultrasonography focused on the posterior eye segment: what radiologists should know.
abstract: Ocular B-mode ultrasonography (US) is an important adjuvant for the clinical assessment of a variety of ocular diseases. When ophthalmoscopy is not possible, mainly due to opacification of the transparent media (e.g., mature cataract or vitreous haemorrhage), US can guide the ophthalmologist in diagnosing disease and choosing treatment. The superficial location and cystic structure of the eye make US ideal for imaging of the eye. Moreover, dynamic study helps distinguish between various conditions that would otherwise be difficult to differentiate in some clinical setting, such as vitreous, retinal, and choroidal detachment. US is also good technique for detecting other pathologic conditions such as lens dislocation, vitreous haemorrhage, asteroid hyalosis, optic disc drusen, and tumors (e.g., choroidal melanoma, metastases, hemangioma). An understanding of the basic anatomy of the eye, the US technique, and common entities that affect the ocular globe will allow radiologists to offer this valuable imaging modality to patients and referring clinicians. This article focuses on the US anatomy and pathologic conditions that affect the posterior ocular segment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • US is specially indicated when ocular fundus cannot be assessed on ophthalmoscopy. • Multipurpose equipment with high-frequency transducers is optimal for imaging the eye. • Ultrasound can reliably depict ocular anatomy and pathology as detachments and tumours. • Dynamic examination is vital for distinguishing certain pathologic conditions as detachments.
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Hospital Sant Pau i Santa Tecla, Rambla Vella 14, 43003, Tarragona, Spain. mdelahozpolo@gmail.com.|Hospital El Vendrell, Carretera de Barcelona, s/n, 43700, El Vendrell, Spain. mdelahozpolo@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De La Hoz Polo
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Hospital de Viladecans, Viladecans, Spain.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Torramilans Lluís
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Hospital Sant Pau i Santa Tecla, Rambla Vella 14, 43003, Tarragona, Spain.|Hospital El Vendrell, Carretera de Barcelona, s/n, 43700, El Vendrell, Spain.
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Pozuelo Segura
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Hospital Sant Pau i Santa Tecla, Rambla Vella 14, 43003, Tarragona, Spain.|Hospital El Vendrell, Carretera de Barcelona, s/n, 43700, El Vendrell, Spain.
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anguera Bosque
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Department, Hospital de Viladecans, Viladecans, Spain.
authors.forename: Catalina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Esmerado Appiani
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.
authors.forename: Josep Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Caminal Mitjana
keywords: Choroid; Posterior eye segment; Retina; Ultrasound; Vitreous body