PURPOSE: To evaluate the indications, techniques and findings of B-scan ultrasound after vitreoretinal surgery. METHODS: Retrospective study of 441 B-scan ultrasounds of 400 patients between 01/09/98 and 02/15/00. Of these, 55 examinations were performed to evaluate the postoperative status of vitreoretinal surgery. After exclusions, 50 ultrasounds were reviewed, all performed by the first author using the same equipment. The technique used to image these eyes was contact through the lids in 46 cases, immersion in 3 and both in 1 case. Other techniques such as different patient positioning was used in special cases. RESULTS: Of the 50 patients studied, 30 were males and 20 females. The ages varied between 1 and 82 years, mean of 44.74±21.09 years. Of the surgeries performed, 13 were scleral buckles and 37 were pars plana vitrectomies. The time when the examination was requested varied from the 1st to the 48th month after surgery, mean of 6.94±10.19 months. The main indications for the study were: impossible fundus examination in 16 cases (32%), vitreous hemorrhage in 17 cases (34%) and cataract in 9 cases (18%). Of the 50 studied eyes, 25 (50%) presented an attached retina and 24 (48%) presented a detached retina. Considering the 37 vitrectomized eyes, 26 (52%) had intraocular silicone oil, 8 had saline solution/aqueous, 1 (2%) had gas (C3F8), 1 (2%) had gas and residual perfluorocarbon and 1 had perfluorocarbon liquid. CONCLUSION: B-scan ultrasound enables a convenient, non invasive assessment to evaluate intraocular structures in situations of media opacity after vitreoretinal surgery.
Ultrassonography; Vitreous body; Vitreous body; Postoperatie period; Evaluation studies
