Imaging of adult ocular neoplasms on a standard 1.5 Tesla MRI magnet: evaluation by improved diagnostic performance of “anatomical” images through feasible technical innovations, supplemented by quick “functional” data

Abstract Background Ocular neoplasms of adults have low prevalence and are usually diagnosed by different ophthalmological techniques, with or without contrast, and are targeted to small lesions. MRI is not routinely used for imaging unless in certain conditions and has been researched mainly with use of ultra-field scanners and 3D imaging, to generate high-quality images of small lesions. The purpose of the study is trying to yield comparable images by routine orbital exams on standard feasible in-hand 1.5 Tesla magnets with some technical innovations. We aimed to serve economic and quality targets in terms of less scanning time and better resolution. Methods Adult patients were collected from ophthalmology departments having an already made diagnosis of ocular tumor. Standard MRI exams were made with multiple modifications: eye movement correction techniques, more specific fat suppression technique, and additional perfusion weighed imaging with and without contrast. Results The generated images of 33 patients were of fairly good quality comparable to those generated from higher-field MRI machine. The anatomical data were described for each lesion. Perfusion showed hyper-perfusion of melanomas and hypo-perfusion of choroidal hemangioma. Diffusion-apparent diffusion coefficients values showed no statistical significance. Conclusions The study showed comparable results about ocular malignancies with diagnostic capability being refined by technical adjustments, supported by some functional data, like qualitative perfusion data while diffusion did not show significant statistical difference between benign and malignant lesions. The good quality images allowed adequate evaluation of ocular tumors in adults on feasible standard simple 1.5 T MR protocols traditionally tailored for usual orbital imaging with some implementation of some easy technical adjustments.