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

ABSTRACT

Objective: 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. Design: CT and Ultrasound were used to evaluate patients with orbital dermoid cysts in 16 cases were retrospectively analysed. Result: 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. Conclusion: 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