Gold weight prosthesis for blepharoplegia

Case contributed by Chris O'Donnell
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Past history of facial (Bell) palsy with blepharoplegia.

Patient Data

Age: 70 years
Gender: Female

Curved metallic prosthesis in the upper lid.

Curved metallic artefact projected over the left globe is relatively minor on T2 and more marked on an echoplanar sequence such as DWI.

Case Discussion

These prostheses are designed to weigh down the upper lid and allow closure so as to reduce the risk of corneal ulceration.  Gold is heavy, inert and not ferromagnetic thus of no risk with MRI.  It produces relatively minor MRI artefact compared with other metals.

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