Orbital Color Doppler Imaging

Excerpt

Color Doppler imaging (CDI) is a non-invasive technique for two-dimensional visualization of normal and pathological vasculature. CDI of the orbital vessels has been used for diagnosis, prognostication, and serial follow-up of ocular pathologies. CDI is an effective tool for researching and understanding the pathogenesis of various ophthalmic diseases. As an imaging modality, CDI visualizes blood supply to the orbital, comprising the internal and external carotid artery circulation. Orbital blood flow is regulated by the autonomic nervous system and chemical mediators, depending on the hemodynamic status. As such, CDI may be utilized during diagnosis, prognosis, and follow-up, with some indications still under research.

CDI has 5 evaluation parameters: Doppler indices, central retinal artery, ophthalmic artery, short posterior ciliary arteries, and superior ophthalmic vein. Based on these measurements, several ocular conditions are evaluated, including but not limited to persistent fetal vasculature, intrabulbar tumors, arterial occlusions, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and vascular malformations.