Accuracy of Computed Tomography Imaging Criteria in the Diagnosis of Adult Open Globe Injuries by Neuroradiology and Ophthalmology

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of computed tomography (CT) diagnosis of open globes, determine which imaging factors are most predictive of open globe injuries, and evaluate the agreement between neuroradiologist and ophthalmologist readers for diagnosis of open and closed globes.

Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort study. Patients who presented to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center with suspicion for open globes were reviewed. One neuroradiologist and two ophthalmologists masked to clinical information reviewed CT images for signs concerning for open globe including change in globe contour, anterior chamber deformation, intraocular air, vitreous hemorrhage, subretinal fluid indicating retinal or choroidal detachment, dislocated or absent lens, intraocular foreign body, and orbital fracture. Using the clinically or surgically confirmed globe status as the true globe status, sensitivity, specificity, and agreement (kappa) were calculated and used to investigate which imaging factors are most predictive of open globe injuries.

Results: A total of 114 patients were included: 35 patients with open globes and 79 patients with closed globes. Specificity was greater than 97% for each reader, and sensitivity ranged from 51% to 77% among readers. The imaging characteristics most consistently used to predict an open globe injury were change in globe contour and vitreous hemorrhage (sensitivity = 43% to 57%, specificity > 98%). The agreement of impression of open globe between the neuroradiologist and ophthalmologists was good and excellent between ophthalmologists.

Conclusions: Computed tomography imaging is not absolute, and the sensitivity is still inadequate to be fully relied upon. The CT imaging findings most predictive of an open globe injury were change in globe contour and vitreous hemorrhage. Clinical examination or surgical exploration remains the most important component in evaluating for a suspected open globe, with CT imaging as an adjunct.