Objective: To study MRI appearances of painful ophthalmoplegia syndrome and provide image basis for clinical diagnosis of painful ophthalmoplegia syndrome.
Methods: Seventeen cases with painful ophthalmoplegia syndrome diagnosed clinically were collected. MRI ordinary scan and gadolinium-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) contrast fatty-restraint scan were performed on the orbit and cavernous sinus.
Results: MRI appearances of painful ophthalmoplegia syndrome included patch or small nodule abnormal signal at the region of fissura orbitalis superior. The ipsilateral cavernous sinus was enlarged. The local lobus temporalis meninges close to the fissura orbitalis superior and cavernous sinus were invaded. MRI contrast fatty-restraint scan might clearly show the pathological changes.
Conclusion: MRI may provide image basis for the clinical diagnosis of painful ophthalmoplegia syndrome.