[The radiological diagnosis of an intraorbital bullet projectile]

Radiologe. 2000 Apr;40(4):404-7. doi: 10.1007/s001170050688.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Beside conventional X-ray examination, ultrasound and computer tomographic examination are accepted radiologic techniques to assess the extend of damage of intraorbital injuries. With the exception of a few reports in the literature there is agreement that intraorbital metallic foreign bodies and gun-shot bullets represent a contraindication for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging examination because of artificial imaging side effects and the potential of secondary dislocation of the metallic foreign body due to ferromagnetism. By means of the case reported here it is shown that this general opinion is not universally valid. Depending on the elemental metallic composition of foreign bodies and gun-shot bullets it is demonstrated that MR examination allows high-resolution illustration and in some cases is advantageous compared with other radiologic imaging techniques.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Eyelids / injuries*
  • Female
  • Foreign Bodies / diagnosis*
  • Foreign Bodies / etiology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Orbit* / diagnostic imaging
  • Orbit* / pathology
  • Soft Tissue Injuries / complications
  • Soft Tissue Injuries / diagnosis*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Wounds, Gunshot / complications
  • Wounds, Gunshot / diagnosis*