Ultrasonography in the management of orbital diseases

Based on a 30 year experience in ophthalmic ultrasound a flowchart is presented dealing with orbital anatomical structures, their recognition and their possible pathological changes mainly based on B-scan technology.

The following entities are of importance:

1. pseudo exophthalmus
2. myogenic exophthalmus
3. vascular-exophthalmus
4. infiltrating legions
5. expanding legions
6. optic nerve legions
7. legions from surrounding structures (bones, sinusis).

This system helps to decide which diagnostic or therapeutic steps should follow in order to support a decision orientated straight forward patient management.