Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Evaluation of Non Traumatic Orbital Lesions

Background: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scans are better than high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scans. They are frequently used to discover tumors, infections and chronic diseases that affect the structures in and around the orbits. This study's aim was to evaluate the contribution of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements to MRI in the assessment of non-traumatic orbital lesions.

Methods: This prospective research involved 30 cases with clinical and radiological non-traumatic orbital lesions. All patients underwent clinical assessment, ocular examination, laboratory investigations, radiological assessment (Conventional MRI, DW-MRI)) and histopathological analysis.

Results: There was substantial agreement between the magnetic resonance and pathologic diagnosis, k=0.722, p<0.001. The cut-off value of ADC for orbital lesions was ≤ 1.0 x 10-3 to be considered malignant lesions. Diffusion-weighted MRI and ADC had a sensitivity of 87.5 %, specificity 100%, and positive predictive value of 100 %, and a negative predictive value of 94.92 % to distinguish among benign and malignant orbital lesions.

Conclusions: MRI alone can detect orbital lesions, but they couldn't distinguish among benign and malignant lesions. The ADC value is non-invasive imaging technique that may be utilized to characterize orbital lesions and distinguish among benign and malignant ones.