IMAGING SPECTRUM OF RETINOBLASTOMA ON MRI. A PICTORIAL REVIEW

Abstract

Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common malignant intraocular tumor of childhood. It is small round-cell tumor arising from neuroepithelial cells. The incidence ranges from 1 in 14,000 live births to 1 in 34,000. The average age at diagnosis is 18 months with most of the cases occurring before 3-4 years. The diagnosis may be made from shortly after birth until 7 years of age. Approximately 30% are bilateral and are typically diagnosed earlier than unilateral cases. Lesions may be synchronous, metachronous, unifocal, or multifocal.

Diagnosis is typically by ophthalmologic examination, prompted by leukocoria or “white reflex” seen in 60% of patients. Leukocoria can be seen with large tumors or total retinal detachment. With advent of high resolution imaging techniques such as MRI, the extent and stage of the tumor can be very well depicted. Herein we concentrate on the pictorial review of different presentation  of retinoblastoma concentrating on the MRI ability to stage the disease. Further pathological correlation has also been done in cases of enucleation. 

Key words: Retinoblastoma, MRI, Leukocoria