Comparison of computed tomographic and cytopathological findings in the evaluation of adult orbital mass.

An observational study was conducted to demonstrate the role of Computed Tomographic (CT) scan to detect clinically suspected adult orbital mass in 47 patients which could not be differentiated clinically. The CT findings were compared and correlated with the findings of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) or histopathology. CT diagnosis of optic nerve sheath meningioma were 12 cases, among them only nine cases confirmed cytopathologically as meningioma and rest three as lymphoma. Among ten cases of hemangioma, eight cases were confirmed cytopathologically as cavernous hemangioma and rest two were pseudotumor and chronic inflammatory lesion. Seven cases diagnosed as pseudotumor in CT were confirmed cytopathologically. Seven cases diagnosed as paranasal sinus masses with orbital extension (nasopharyngeal angiofibroma) in CT were confirmed cytopathologically. Among three cases of thyroid ophthalmopathy diagnosed in CT, only two cases confirmed cytopathologically and rest one cytopathologic diagnosis was not possible due to inadequate tissue supply during FNAC. Two cases of chronic inflammatory lesion diagnosed in CT, also confirmed cytopathologically. Two cases of metastatic lesion diagnosed in CT, also confirmed cytopathologically. Two cases of lacrimal gland tumor diagnosed in CT, also confirmed cytopathologically i.e., pleomorphic adenoma. Two cases of melanoma diagnosed in CT, only one confirmed cytopathologically and rest one cytopathologic diagnosis was not possible due to frank blood came out during FNAC. Pseudotumors were subsequently diagnosed the non-diagnostic cases on the basis of clinical and radiological findings. It is evident from these findings that CT is a useful modality in the diagnosis of adult orbital masses.