Applicability of ultrasound in ocular tumors in children and adolescents

Introduction
Evaluation of the applicability of ultrasound in children diagnosed for neoplasm of the eye. Evaluation of Doppler ultrasound in visualizing blood vessels within the lesion in eye ball, eye socket and eye lids. Establishing the value of the obtained data concerning the image of vessels and blood flow for the diagnosis, monitoring the course of disease and results of treatment.

Material and methods
The study comprised 80 patients diagnosed and treated for neoplasm of the eye. The study group included 48 girls and 32 boys aged 2 weeks to 18 years. All the patients were subject to full ophthalmologic examination, ultrasound and other imaging techniques. Results: Echogenicity of lesions, focality of growth and the comparison of echostructure did not allow for establishing the degree of malignancy. The presence of vessels in tumor mass and blood flow in tumors were useful for differentiation between malignant and benign tumors.

Conclusions
Ultrasound methods used significantly improve diagnostic possibilities in orbital tumors in children. The obtained pictures of vessels and flow character are typical for some tumors, which together with histopathology of tumors enables establishing of correct diagnosis. CD/PD ultrasound is helpful in monitoring treatment of selected orbital tumors, enables evaluation of biological evolution of capillary hemangioma and assessment of vascularization degree of tumors treated with chemo- and radiotherapy.