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Insights into Imaging
Published in: Insights into Imaging 1/2016

Open Access 01-02-2016 | Pictorial Review

Orbital tumours and tumour-like lesions: exploring the armamentarium of multiparametric imaging

Authors: Bela S. Purohit, Maria Isabel Vargas, Angeliki Ailianou, Laura Merlini, Pierre-Alexandre Poletti, Alexandra Platon, Bénédicte M. Delattre, Olivier Rager, Karim Burkhardt, Minerva Becker

Published in: Insights into Imaging | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Although the orbit is a small anatomical space, the wide range of structures present within it are often the site of origin of various tumours and tumour-like conditions, both in adults and children. Cross-sectional imaging is mandatory for the detection, characterization, and mapping of these lesions. This review focuses on multiparametric imaging of orbital tumours. Each tumour is reviewed in relation to its clinical presentation, compartmental location, imaging characteristics, and its histological features. We herein describe orbital tumours as lesions of the globe (retinoblastoma, uveal melanoma), optic nerve sheath complex (meningioma, optic nerve glioma), conal-intraconal compartment (hemangioma), extraconal compartment (dermoid/epidermoid, lacrimal gland tumours, lymphoma, rhabdomysarcoma), and bone and sinus compartment (fibrous dysplasia). Lesions without any typical compartmental localization and those with multi-compartment involvement (veno-lymphatic malformation, plexiform neurofibroma, idiopathic orbital pseudotumour, IgG4 related disease, metastases) are also reviewed. We discuss the role of advanced imaging techniques, such as MR diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), diffusion tensor imaging, fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography CT (FDG-PET CT), and positron emission tomography MRI (MRI PET) as problem-solving tools in the evaluation of those orbital masses that present with non-specific morphologic imaging findings.
Main messages/Teaching points
• A compartment-based approach is essential for the diagnosis of orbital tumours.
• CT and MRI play a key role in the work-up of orbital tumours.
• DWI, PET CT, and MRI PET are complementary tools to solve diagnostic dilemmas.
• Awareness of salient imaging pearls and diagnostic pitfalls avoids interpretation errors.
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Metadata
Title
Orbital tumours and tumour-like lesions: exploring the armamentarium of multiparametric imaging
Authors
Bela S. Purohit
Maria Isabel Vargas
Angeliki Ailianou
Laura Merlini
Pierre-Alexandre Poletti
Alexandra Platon
Bénédicte M. Delattre
Olivier Rager
Karim Burkhardt
Minerva Becker
Publication date
01-02-2016
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Insights into Imaging / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1869-4101
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13244-015-0443-8

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