The Role of High-Resolution Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Evaluation of Isolated Orbital Neurofibromas

Park, Won Chan; White, W. Abraham; Woog, John J.; Garrity, James A.; Kim, Yoon-Duck; Lane, John; Witte, Robert; Babovic-Vuksanovic, Dusica

doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2006.04.060

« Previous Next »American Journal of Ophthalmology
Volume 142, Issue 3 , Pages 456-463, September 2006

The Role of High-Resolution Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Evaluation of Isolated Orbital Neurofibromas

Presented in part as a poster at the annual meeting of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic Reconstructive Surgeons, Oct 23, 2004, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Won Chan Park, MD
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
W. Abraham White
- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
- University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri
John J. Woog, MD
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
- Inquiries to John J. Woog, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street, SW, Rochester, MN 55905
James A. Garrity, MD
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
Yoon-Duck Kim, MD
- Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
John Lane, MD
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
Robert Witte, MD
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
Dusica Babovic-Vuksanovic, MD
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Accepted 18 April 2006. published online 05 June 2006.

Purpose

To analyze the imaging findings in patients diagnosed with isolated orbital neurofibromas.

Design

Retrospective observational case series.

Methods

Computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were reviewed in five patients with orbital neurofibromas in the absence of systemic neurofibromatosis in this multicenter study. The main outcome measures were bony and soft tissue abnormalities involving the orbit and surrounding anatomic spaces.

Results

Patient age ranged from 36 to 43 years (mean, 41 years); three patients were men and two were women. Duration of symptoms ranged from three to 20 years. Radiologic findings included intraconal and extraconal soft tissue masses in all patients, bony orbital abnormalities in three patients, and intracranial extension in two patients. In addition, MRI studies in one patient revealed the previously unreported presence of neurofibromas involving extraocular muscle.

Conclusions

Isolated orbital neurofibromas may present with differing radiologic appearances. The combined use of high-resolution CT and MRI may be of benefit in the preoperative diagnosis of these uncommon orbital tumors.