Objective: To approach the characteristics of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CT in detection and localization of intraocular foreign bodies.
Methods: Detection and localization of 28 cases (42 foreign bodies) of non-magnetic intraocular foreign body were compared in MRI and CT with criteria of operative results.
Results: The positive rates of MRI and CT in detection of 42 non-magnetic intraocular foreign bodies were respectively 90.5% and 95.2% (chi 2 test: P > 0.5). The positive rates of MRI and CT in localization were respectively 89.5% and 60.0% (chi 2 test: P < 0.05).
Conclusion: MRI could be used in detection and localization of non-magnetic intraocular foreign bodies with high positive rates in detection and superior to CT in demonstrating non-magnetic intraocular foreign bodies with low density and the relationship between foreign bodies and intraocular tissues. MRI was not as believable as CT in detection of foreign bodies in eye wall and not an appropriate modality in examinations of magnetic intraocular foreign body.