[The use of ultrasonographic techniques for the diagnosis of retinopathy of prematurity].

INTRODUCTION

Ultrasonographic techniques are commonly used for the imaging of various tissue structures and organs, including the eyeball and orbit. The non-invasive ultrasound imaging is safe for the patient and may be repeated after a short time unlike in the case of other radiological techniques. In pediatric ophthalmology, ultrasonography plays a major role as an auxiliary examination for the diagnosis of various intraocular diseases, pathologies of the retina and choroid, and retrobulbar conditions. Ultrasonography is of major importance in diagnosing eye disorders associated with opacity preventing visual inspection of the posterior eye segment.

METHODS

Among ultrasonographic techniques in pediatric ophthalmology the most frequently used are B-scan, A-scan, and Doppler ultrasonography. Because of the resolution of ultrasonographic methods in comparison to radiological techniques, they play an important role in monitoring the dynamics of pathological processes in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Other radiological methods such as CT, MRI or subtractive angiography do not offer a detailed view of retinal attachment or vitreo-retinal proliferation.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasonography as an auxiliary examination at subsequent stages of ROP helps to document the changes and in case of corneal opacity connected with progression of vitreo-retinal abnormalities is the basis for the diagnosis.