Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of subretinal fluid.

We ascertained the relationship between the relaxation time of magnetic resonance imaging and the protein concentration of subretinal fluid, by examining rhegmatogenous and nonrhegmatogenous retinal detachments with a 0.15 tesla nuclear magnetic resonance system, and we calculated T1 and T2 relaxation times of subretinal fluid. The protein concentration of subretinal fluid obtained at the time of surgery was determined by a biochemical method. The subretinal fluid in a fresh rhegmatogenous retinal detachment had a low protein concentration and relaxation times equal to those of vitreous. Conversely, increased protein concentrations and shortened relaxation times were noted in subretinal fluid from long-standing rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. Subretinal fluid in a nonrhegmatogenous retinal detachment with a high concentration of protein showed much shorter relaxation times. The relaxation times and protein concentration of the subretinal fluid correlated closely. It may be possible to measure the protein concentration of subretinal fluid in vivo with nuclear magnetic resonance imaging.