CT and Ultrasound in the diagnosis of orbital dermoid cysts - A retrospective study at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka

Abstract

To evaluate the use of Computed Tomography (CT) and Ultrasound (US) to diagnose orbital dermoid cyst and compare the characteristic features of CT and US in detection of the lesions. CT and Ultrasound were used to evaluate patients with orbital dermoid cysts in 16 cases were retrospectively analysed. Ultrasound features were confirmatory of orbital demoid cysts in 4 cases where as CT was effective in diagnosing the condition in 15 cases except for one case of mistaken diagnosis for mucocoele. The characteristic features as fat -floating sign on CT were revealed in 7 patients. Ultrasound is useful in displaying internal structures, CT is excellent in detecting the orbital demoid cyst and can more accurately confirm the diagnosis when the characteristic features as fat-floating sign is revealed.