B-Mode ocular ultrasound: The Aba Experience

Introduction: B-Mode ocular ultrasound is of great value to the surgeon in pre- operative assessment of posterior structures of the eye in patients with opaque media. Objectives: This study reviewed the ocularB- mode findings in patients in Aba. It provides a baseline data for further studies. Methodology: One hundred and twenty patients were referred from the Ophthalmology Unit of Abia State University Teaching Hospital and evaluated with B– mode ocular ultrasound at the Radiology department ABSUTH and Todac clinic over a period of 2years.With patients in a supine position, coupling gel was applied on the closed eyelids and both eyes were evaluated by a Radiologist with high frequency (7.5-12.0 MHz) linear probe on a Sonoscape S-30 ultrasound machine in the longitudinal and transverse planes. Kinetic and Doppler echography were also done. Results: Patients between the ages of 6 months and 90years were evaluated. Fifty-seven patients were males while 63 were females. The most common and the least common sonographic findings were cataract (80.1%) and retinoblastoma (1.67%). Other findings were vitreous degeneration, ectopic lens,retinal detachment, choroidal detachment, posterior vitreous detachment, pan ophthalmitis, phthisis bulbi and optic disc drusen. Conclusion: B-mode sonography is a veritable tool in eye evaluation. It is safe, non-invasive and accurate way of interrogating the eye. It should be a first line radiological investigation in ocular lesions.