Ultrasonographic assessment of paediatric ocular emergencies: A tertiary eye hospital based observation.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study is to assess the utility of ocular ultrasound B scan in the emergency at the first point of care for detecting posterior segment and orbital pathologies in cases of paediatric ocular emergencies.

METHODS

A prospective observational study involving 122 paediatric patients presenting to eye emergency over a period of ninety days were assessed with ultrasonography for the posterior segment as well as orbital pathology whenever indicated. The ocular ultrasound was performed gently over closed eyelids.

RESULTS

Posttraumatic globe injuries were the most common indication for posterior segment evaluation, which constituted 80 (65.57%) eyes. Among these 52 patients had an anechoic posterior segment and 28 patients had variable findings such as vitreous haemorrhage (8.19%), retinal detachment (6.55%), choroidal detachment (4.91%), posteriorly dislocated clear lens (0.81%) and retained intraocular foreign body (5.73%). Non-traumatic cases constituted around 42 (34.42%) eyes, which included corneal ulcer (7.37%), retinoblastoma (6.55%), endophthalmitis (4.91%), extra-ocular muscle cysticercosis (4.91%), orbital cellulitis (4.09%), periocular haemorrhage (2.45%), proptosis(1.63%), paediatric cataract (1.63%) and cryptophthalmos (0.81%). No adverse events of performing the ultrasound was noted.

CONCLUSION

First point ultrasonography in paediatric ocular emergencies is a cheap, portable and an effective tool in the assertion of significant posterior segment and orbital diseases.