Percutaneous Biopsy of Retrobulbar Masses: Anatomical Considerations and MRI Guidance.

PURPOSE: Obtaining adequate tissue from retrobulbar masses remains a challenge. To this end, a new method of retrobulbar mass biopsy using MRI guidance is presented.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two patients (7- and 71-year-old male) with indeterminate retrobulbar masses underwent bioptic and cytological samplings using MR-compatible 18G and 20-22G needles, and multi-planar MR fluoroscopy. An inferior approach was taken to avoid injury to the optic nerve and ophthalmic arteries.

RESULTS: The two biopsies were completed without complication. The core biopsy resulted in a final diagnosis, whereas the cytological sampling was non-diagnostic.

CONCLUSION: Percutaneous MR-guided retrobulbar mass biopsy proved to be feasible and safe in the two cases described in this report.