Can DWI & ADC differentiate orbital lymphoma, non-specific orbital inflammation and orbital cellulitis?

The aim of this workTo differentiate orbital lymphoma, non-specific orbital inflammation (NSOI) and orbital cellulitis using DWI & ADC, as there is marked clinical overlap in the diagnosis of these three orbital conditions.Material and methodsTwenty-five cases chosen from attendants of the outpatient clinic of the Ophthalmology Department of Zagazig University Hospitals with different orbital pathologies presenting with orbital inflammatory signs and/or proptosis were all examined with conventional MRI sequences then functional DWI and ADC map and values were performed.ResultsSix cases (6/25) were diagnosed as orbital lymphomas (24%), 14 cases (14/25) NSOI (formerly known as orbital inflammatory syndrome) (56%) and 5 cases (5/25) as orbital cellulitis (20%), in DWI the greater the restriction was detected in lymphomas, followed by NSOI and lastly with orbital cellulitis and ADC values ranging from 0.6 to 0.9 × 10−3 mm2/s for lymphoma, 1.1 to 1.3 × 10−3 mm2/s in NSOI and 1.5 to 1.7 × 10−3 mm2/s in orbital cellulitis.ConclusionDWI & ADC can differentiate orbital lymphoma from NSOI and orbital cellulitis and help rapid management.