Ex-PRESS glaucoma filter: an MRI compatible metallic orbital foreign body imaged at 1.5 and 3T

Aqueous Flare Changes in Ex-PRESS Glaucoma Shunt Eyes After 4.7 Tesla High-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Purpose

Ex-PRESS glaucoma shunt stainless steel devices have been used worldwide for glaucoma treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety of high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for Ex-PRESS-inserted eyes.

Methods

Using rabbits, we performed Ex-PRESS shunt surgery in one eye in each rabbit and divided the rabbits into MRI and non-MRI groups. In the MRI group, 1 week after Ex-PRESS shunt surgery under low specific absorption rate (SAR) conditions and 1 week later under high SAR conditions, high-field 4.7-Tesla MRI was performed. Aqueous flare counts were measured before and after the Ex-PRESS shunt surgery and each MRI examination. The rabbits in the non-MRI group received only general anesthesia, and aqueous flare counts were measured as for those of the MRI group. Aqueous flare counts were expressed in photon counts per millisecond.

Results

No dislocation of the Ex-PRESS shunt device was observed after MRI. The flare count ratio (MRI/non-MRI) in Ex-PRESS-inserted eyes 2 hours after high SAR MRI increased significantly compared with that before MRI (0.8 ± 0.3 vs 2.7 ± 0.8; pre-high SAR MRI vs 2 hours after high SAR MRI, respectively; P = 0.01). The day after MRI, the flare count improved spontaneously to the same level as that before MRI.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that high-field MRI can be performed relatively safely after Ex-PRESS shunt surgery.

Translational Relevance

This study demonstrates the safety of high-field MRI for Ex-PRESS-inserted eyes using a rabbit model.

Imaging of the Postoperative Eye and Orbit

There is a plethora of surgical procedures that are performed in the eye and orbit. The consequences of these procedures can often be observed on diagnostic imaging through the presence of various implants and altered anatomy. The expected postoperative changes in the eye and orbit, the impact of implants on image quality and safety, and potential associated complications are reviewed in this article. Conventional computed tomography and MR imaging scans are useful for the postoperative assessment of the eye and orbit. The computed tomography and MR imaging findings related to the postoperative eye and orbit are reviewed in this article.

MRI after successful eyeWatchTM implantation

The eyeWatch^TM is a new glaucoma drainage device that includes an adjustable mechanism that can vary the resistance to aqueous humor outflow during the postoperative period to reduce the burden of postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) management. The mechanism contains a magnetic rotor that can be adjusted using an external magnetic control unit. Adjustments of the position of the rotor are performed mostly in the initial postoperative follow-up period in order to reach the target IOP. However, for some patients, it might be necessary to perform MRI for the sake of medical investigations. As the MRI is creating a strong magnetic field, this magnetic field is likely to interact with the adjustable rotor of the eyeWatch^TM, resulting in modification of the IOP. We report the case of an 82-old female patient successfully operated with the implantation of an eyeWatch^TM. The patient underwent a cerebral MRI for persistent headache. Shortly after the MRI procedure, the patient was checked at the eye clinic to assess the position of the rotor and to measure the IOP. The eyeWatch^TM was readjusted to the former position set before undergoing the MRI. No complications were reported in the follow-up after MRI. This case demonstrates that MRI examinations can be safely performed after glaucoma surgery using an eyeWatch^TM without compromising on the quality of the imaging or the stability of the IOP. This is a complication-free procedure that only requires checking the new position of the rotor and re-adjusting the implant, if necessary, to achieve the target IOP.

EX-PRESS Glaucoma Filtration Device: efficacy, safety, and predictability

Trabeculectomy has been the traditional primary surgical therapy for open-angle glaucoma. While trabeculectomy is effective in lowering intraocular pressure, complications associated with the procedure have motivated the development of alternative techniques and devices, including the EX-PRESS Glaucoma Filtration Device. This review describes the efficacy, safety, complication rates, and potential advantages and disadvantages of the EX-PRESS Glaucoma Filtration Device. EX-PRESS implantation is technically simpler compared with that of trabeculectomy, with fewer surgical steps. Vision recovery has been more rapid after EX-PRESS implantation compared with trabeculectomy. Intraocular pressure variation is lower during the early postoperative period, indicating a more predictable procedure. While efficacy of the EX-PRESS implant has been comparable to trabeculectomy, postoperative complications appear less common after EX-PRESS implantation compared with trabeculectomy. The EX-PRESS Glaucoma Filtration Device appears to be safe and effective in the surgical management of open-angle glaucoma.