The Use of Ultrasonography for Detection of Retinal Detachment in Patients with Vitreous Hemorrhage

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the accuracy of ultrasonography (US) in detecting retinal detachment in vitreous hemorrhage (V-HEMO). METHODS: A chart review of 81 patients (86 eyes) who have undergone pars plana vitrectomy in the treatment of V-HEMO between June 1996 and June 2004 was done. RESULTS: The most common cause of vitreous hemorrhaging was proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) (39 eyes, 45.3%), followed by ocular trauma (22 eyes, 25.6%). the correct anatomic position of the retina was identified with US in 72 of 86 eyes (83.7%), with eight false positives (9.3%) and six false negatives(7.9%). The sensitivity of US was calculated as 73% and specificity was 88%. US within the PDR group correctly identified 29 of 39 eyes (74.4%), and had a sensitivity of 62% and a specificity of 81%. US within the non-PDR group correctly identified 43 of 47 eyes (91.5%), and had a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 92%. CONCLUSIONS: It has been reported that US is an effective diagnostic tool in patients with media opacity, however physicians should bear in mind that US can be unreliable in some patients with PDR. Thus, caution is warranted in making diagnoses and determining the appropriated surgical procedure.