This pictorial essay focuses on incidental and significant ophthalmologic findings observable on routine CT brain scans. Although neuroimaging is generally intended to assess the brain parenchyma, orbit-related findings can occasionally surface and carry vital diagnostic relevance. We present 10 case-based illustrations derived from CT, emphasizing findings often overlooked in the orbital "blind spot" during neuroimaging interpretation.
(Fig. 1) CT -orbit showed well positioned right eye implant with anterior placement
Fat grafts are used post- evisceration to maintain orbital volume. Appears as a hypodense
non-enhancing region within the orbit.
CT brain shows hyperdense linear
object in the globe (Fig. 2)
CT is preferred for IOFB detection due to metal visibility.
High-density structure seen encircling left
globe, represents a silicone or metallic scleral buckle, often placed during retinal detachment repair(Fig. 3)
A scleral buckle is a common surgical treatment for retinal detachment, and it can produce distinct imaging artefacts on CT scans.
Band-like or C-shaped hyperdense structure around the posterior aspect of the eye Often hyperdense (depending on the material — silicone, silicone sponge, or solid silicone)
May cause beam hardening or streak artefacts in CT images.
Sometimes can simulate foreign bodies or orbital masses if not recognized properly.
Case: A 65 years male , diabetic and hypertensive on medications presented to emergency
department with complaints of acute onset headache & dizziness lasting for the past two days.
He also reported mild nausea , but denied any visual disturbances, weakness , sensory changes. NcCT brain was advised to rule out intracranial pathology such as hemorrhage.
(Fig. 4): Axial NCCT brain shows hyperdense round eye ball on left side indicated artificial eyeball post Enucleation.
Prosthetic or artificial eyes appears as a round hyper-dense sphere. Sometimes it does not appear
round, but a concave eye attached to the orbital muscles. Now, a new trend of 3D printers can
make a prosthetic eye. In some cases, the patient is blind in both eyes and they undergo a
bilateral oculoplasty.
Case: A 5-year-old male presented with with history of fall from bed in the morning with loss of
consciousness for 5 minutes. Ct brain was advised to look for fractures / intracranial bleed.
(Fig. 5): CT of the orbit showed a well-defined, homogenous, hypodense mass located within the
subcutaneous tissue of the upper eyelid, with no signs of extension into the orbit or bone
involvement. The imaging findings were consistent with an epidermal inclusion cyst.
Case: A 40-year-old female presented with persistent headache localized to frontal region with
dizziness and occasionally loss of balance.
(Fig. 6)CT revealed a well-circumscribed, ovoid mass in the intraconal space, causing displacement of the optic nerve. The lesion was heterogeneously hyperdense with intense enhancement following contrast administration. These findings were confirmed by MRI which was suggestive of an orbital schwannoma.
Case: A 45-year-old male presented with history of fall from bike, CT brain was advised.
CT imaging showed a blowout fracture of the left orbital floor with herniation of orbital
contents into the maxillary sinus. There was significant soft tissue swelling and gas bubbles in the retro-orbital space, indicative of secondary infection(Fig. 7)
Case: A 68 Year Old Male Presented To Emergency Department With Complaints Of Sudden
Onset Left Sided Headache And Blurring Of Vision In Left Eye
CT scan shows left lens was deviated posteriorly into vitreous cavity(Fig. 8)
DISLOCATED LENS or ectopia lentis occurs due to trauma, Weil-Marchesani syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, homocystinuria, aniridia, syphilis, intraocular tumors, and Marfan syndrome.
Case: 62 year old female patient presented to the emergency department with complaints of
persistent headache and intermittent visual disturbances in her left eye.She is hypertensive and
diabetic with no history of ocular trauma.
Small and shrunken globe with calcification with with irregular contour with loss of the ability to identify separate structures s/o phthisis bulbi. (Fig. 9)
PHTHISIS BULBI is the end stage or atrophied eye ball due to a severe insult. The eye ball usually
is reduced in size by 20 mm with posterior folded sclera. This intraocular fibrosis and shrinkage
lead to an intraocular hypotension.Dystrophic calcification is seen in some cases which known as
intraocular bones. Having calcification in the eye should not be confused with phthisis bulbi
because calcification of the eye could happen for different reasons. The calcification could reach the
globe, sclera, optic nerve, etc.The etiology of phthisis bulbi includes the following; infection,
inflammation, trauma,retinoblastoma, chronic retinal detachment, persistent hyperplastic primary
vitreous, etc.
Case: 60 year old male with h/o fall from height.
Dense right lens(Fig. 10).
CATARACTS are an opacification or thickening of the lens within the globe and are the leading
cause of blindness in the world.
CT is not the investigation of choice for the lens as radiation may worsen lens opacification.
Imaging findings in cataract – increased density and thickness of lens, in diabetic cataract if there is
osmotic swelling the lens may appear hypodense than surrounding structures.
CT scan can reveal changes in lens density that correlate with different types of cataracts reveals
nuclear cataract shows a hyperdense central region , cortical cataract presents as a wedge shaped
opacity and posterior subcapsular cataract appears as a small dense area beneath the capsule.
Ophthalmological findings on routine brain imaging, though uncommon, can be diagnostically significant. These cases reinforce the importance of routinely evaluating the orbital contents in CTscan neuroimaging. Attention to the orbits can prevent missed diagnoses, influence clinical management, and guide necessary ophthalmologic referrals.