proptosis
description
excessive prominence or protuberance of the eye may be the result of a shallow orbit, caused by underdevelopment of the supraorbital ridge with overgrowth of the sphenoid wing with or without maxillary hypoplasia, in which case proptosis may be the most accurate term; or a primary ocular anomaly, such as exophthalmos of thyroid origin.
diagnosis
exophthalmos/proptosis/shallow orbit is best appreciated in the transverse (axial) and sagittal/parasagittal views of the eyes. transvaginal ultrasound visualisation is possible from as early as 12 weeks, although second and third trimester diagnosis is more common. the criteria for diagnosis are quite subjective, and require comparison of the most anterior part of the eye with surrounding structures, particularly the root, bridge and tip of the nose, and the zygoma.
differential diagnosis
marked maxillary hypoplasia may produce relative prominence of the eye. underdevelopment or flattening of the nose may suggest relative protuberance of the eye. a search for additional anomalies may allow distinction between a primary ocular anomaly and proptosis secondary to shallow orbits.
sonographic features
diagnosis is subjective, and based on comparison between the position of the most anterior part of the eye and surrounding structures, particularly the root, bridge and tip of the nose, and the zygoma.
excessive prominence or portuberance of the eye may result from a shallow orbit, caused by underdevelopment of the supraorbital ridge, or a primary ocular anomaly such as exophthalmos of thyroid origin.
associated syndromes
references
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