Intraconal contrast orbitography in the dog.

Intraconal contrast orbitograms were obtained, using a nonionic water-soluble contrast agent, on 15 normal dogs to evaluate the technique and to define the basal orbitogram. Thirty-three intraconal orbitograms were prepared, utilizing three different injection techniques. In 21 of the intraconal orbitograms, the orbital cone was well outlined with contrast or with the optic nerve visible (or both). These were judged to be of satisfactory diagnostic quality. In the 12 other studies, the presence of most of the contrast material outside the orbital cone resulted in failure to identify the intraconal structures. These were, therefore, classified as nondiagnostic. The contrast agent used provided an adequate density and persisted in the orbital cone long enough for radiograms to be obtained. Serious complications did not appear during the study. Intraconal orbitography provides a safe method for evaluating the orbital cone.