Abstract.
The blood-ocular barrier (BOB) shares similar neuroepithelial origin, microanatomy and functions with the blood-brain barrier. There are many natural (e. g. diabetes, hypertension) or iatrogenic (chemotherapy, retinal photocoagulation) conditions which can cause a BOB breakdown, resulting in visual acuity impairment or loss. The authors examined 42 patients affected by BOB damage in different pathological conditions. All patients previously underwent a conventional fluoroangiographic (FA) study. Nine patients with normal FA exam were evaluated also. Despite normal MRI findings immediately after Gd-DTPA injection, contrast leakage into the vitreous body or into the aqueous fluid was demonstrated in delayed scans (40–50 min after contrast administration), proving the existence of a BOB damage (sensitively 94 %). Although FA exam remains the choice modality in BOB breakdown demonstration, we propose MRI as a useful diagnostic tool when optic media opacity (cataract, haemovitreous, intraocular silicon oil) occurs, preventing direct retinal fundus imaging and/or an early screening tool.
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Received 11 December 1995; Revision received 24 April 1996; Accepted 30 April 1996
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Manfré, L., Midiri, M., Giuffré, G. et al. Blood-ocular barrier damage: use of contrast-enhanced MRI. Eur Radiol 7, 110–114 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003300050121
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003300050121