B-scan Ultrasonography in Blast Related Posterior Segment Eye Injuries

Abstract

Purpose: To study the role of B-scan ultrasonography in determining the extent of posterior segment pathology in blast related eye injuries.
Material and Methods: It was a descriptive case series conducted at Ophthalmology Department of Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar, from March 2010 to February 2012. Patients with blast related eye injuries and poor fundus view at presentation were included in the study. Patients with shattered globe in which corneal / scleral repair was not possible were excluded from the study. B–scan ultrasonography was done to know about the extent of posterior segment pathology. In those with open globe injury, B-scan was done after restoring the globe integrity.
Results: Ninety seven patients were included in the study. Ocular injury was unilateral in 66 patients (68.04%) and bilateral in 31 patients (31.95%). Of the 128 eyes involved, 83 eyes (64.84%) had open globe injury and 45 eyes (35.15%) had closed globe injury. B-scan was normal in 45 eyes (35.15%). Vitreous hemorrhage was the most common pathology seen in 54 eyes (42.18%), followed by retinal detachment which was seen in 27 eyes (21.09%) and intraocular foreign body in 19 (14.84%) eyes.
Conclusion: Bomb blast / mine blast can result in very severe eye injuries. In the presence of media opacities, B-scan ultrasonography is a very useful diagnostic tool for determining the extent of posterior segment pathologies in blast related eye injuries.