Computerized tomography of the orbits. A report of 196 patients.

The value of orbital CCT scans was studied by grouping the CCT scans of 196 patients into clinical diagnostic categories. In 83% of patients with suspected Graves' ophthalmopathy, CCT confirmed the diagnosis. The CCT scan differentiated patients with Graves' disease from those with orbital pseudotumour or malignancies. The CCT scan was positive in 92% or patients with proven orbital malignancies. In 73% of patients with proptosis of unknown aetiology, and in 56% of patients with ocular motility problems, the CCT scan led to the diagnosis. The CCT scan ruled out orbital mass lesions in cases of optic neuritis, optic atrophy or vascular malformations. The greatest value of the CCT scan was in the localization and determination of the size and shape of various orbital lesions and in the accurate follow-up of those lesions utilizing serial scans.