Retinoblastoma MRI

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sahar Memar Montazerin, M.D.[2] Simrat Sarai, M.D. [3]

Overview

MRI findings of retinoblastoma include hyperintense mass on T1-weighted MRI and hypointense mass on T2-weighted MRI.

MRI imaging study of retinoblastoma was first introduced in1980.^[1]
MRI is accurate for tumor staging and evaluation of metastatic risk factors.^[2]
It is also used as an additional diagnostic tool in suspected retinoblastoma cases.^[3]
MRI’s diagnostic value in the diagnosis of advanced retinoblastoma is greater than CT scan.^[4]
MRI findings diagnostic of retinoblastoma are:
- On T1 image: Hyperintense mass compared to vitreous body
- On T2 image: Hypointense mass compared to vitreous body
MRI can differentiate the tumor with secondary retinal detachment from other causes of subretinal effusion or detachment, such as Coats’ disease, primary hyperplastic vitreous, and retinopathy of prematurity.
Also, some experts argue that CT imaging studies in bilateral retinoblastoma will increase the risk of future malignancies. MRI is not associated with such risk.
MRI is also the study of choice to rule out extra-ocular extension of the tumor.^[3]

↑ Schueler, A O (2003). “High resolution magnetic resonance imaging of retinoblastoma”. British Journal of Ophthalmology. 87 (3): 330–335. doi:10.1136/bjo.87.3.330. ISSN 0007-1161.
↑ de Graaf, Pim; Barkhof, Frederik; Moll, Annette C.; Imhof, Saskia M.; Knol, Dirk L.; van der Valk, Paul; Castelijns, Jonas A. (2005). “Retinoblastoma: MR Imaging Parameters in Detection of Tumor Extent”. Radiology. 235 (1): 197–207. doi:10.1148/radiol.2351031301. ISSN 0033-8419.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 Meel R, Radhakrishnan V, Bakhshi S (April 2012). “Current therapy and recent advances in the management of retinoblastoma”. Indian J Med Paediatr Oncol. 33 (2): 80–8. doi:10.4103/0971-5851.99731. PMC 3439795. PMID 22988349.
↑ de Jong, Marcus C.; de Graaf, Pim; Noij, Daniel P.; Göricke, Sophia; Maeder, Philippe; Galluzzi, Paolo; Brisse, Hervé J.; Moll, Annette C.; Castelijns, Jonas A. (2014). “Diagnostic Performance of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography for Advanced Retinoblastoma”. Ophthalmology. 121 (5): 1109–1118. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2013.11.021. ISSN 0161-6420.