Choroidal Melanocytic Lesions Research Articles

Multimodal imaging risk factors predictive of small choroidal melanocytic lesion growth to melanoma: An educational study and pictorial guide.

Risk factors for small choroidal melanocytic lesion growth to melanoma have been redefined using multimodal imaging. We explored provider ability to recognize risk factors for small choroidal melanocytic lesion growth to melanoma before and after image-based education and with and without multimodal imaging. Providers were invited to participate in a survey assessing ability to identify risk factors for small choroidal melanocytic lesion growth to melanoma using either fundus imaging or multimodal imaging. Risk factors included thickness >2 mm on ultrasonography, subretinal fluid on optical coherence tomography, presence of orange pigment by autofluorescence, acoustic hollowness by ultrasonography, and diameter >5 mm by fundus imaging. Performance was assessed before and after reviewing an educational PowerPoint providing pictorial examples of risk factors. Comparison between groups was conducted using two-tailed Fisher's exact test. Thirty and 26 providers completed the pre-education and post-education assessments, respectively. Post-education participants were more accurate within ±1 risk factor for lesions with zero risk factors (77% vs. 100%, p = 0.01) or two risk factors (79% vs. 91%, p = 0.03). Following education, participants presented with multimodal imaging more often correctly identified lesions with four (12% vs. 42%, p = 0.03) or five (4% vs. 39%, p = 0.004) risk factors, demonstrated lower mean level of concern for lesions with zero risk factors (2.0 vs. 1.4, p < 0.001), and expressed higher level of concern for lesions with 5 risk factors (2.4 vs. 3.6, p < 0.001). Use of multimodal imaging may be more beneficial than education itself to improve accuracy of risk factor identification for small choroidal melanocytic lesions.

Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells in Patients with Small Choroidal Melanocytic Lesions

To determine the presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with indeterminate small choroidal melanocytic lesions (SCMLs). Retrospective case series. Forty-seven patients with choroidal melanocytic lesions 2.5 mm or less in tumor thickness and ≤ 10 mm in largest basal diameter (LBD). Blood samples were analyzed for CTCs and the presence of monosomy-3 (M3) in CTCs. Tissue biopsy was performed in the patients who were CTC-positive (pCTC). Presence and M3 status of the CTCs with regard to the clinical characteristics and results from tissue biopsy. Median thickness of all (n= 47) lesions was 1.1 mm (range: 0.2-2.5 mm), and LBD was 5.6 mm (range: 2.0-10.0 mm). Circulating tumor cells were found in 25 patients (n= 25). This group was classified as pCTC and compared with the CTC-negative (nCTC) group consisting of 22 patients (n= 22). Median tumor dimensions in the pCTC versus the nCTC group were 1.6 mm (range: 0.6-2.5 mm) versus 0.5 mm (range: 0.2-2.5 mm) for thickness and 6.6 mm (range: 4.1-10.0 mm) versus 4.0 mm (range: 2.0-8.0 mm) for LBD, respectively. Both LBD and thickness were positively associated (P < 0.001) with the presence of CTC. Compared with the nCTC group, a higher percentage of the pCTC group exhibited LBD > 5 mm (36% vs. 88%), subretinal fluid (9.1% vs. 56%), orange pigment (4.5% vs. 60%), sonographic hollowness (9.1% vs. 60%), and the presence of multiple risk factors (0% vs. 68% for ≥3 factors) with P < 0.001 for all parameters. No significant difference was detected in the clinical parameters of the patients who had disomy-3 (D3) (n= 7) versus M3 (n= 17) in their CTC. The tissue biopsy confirmed the uveal melanoma (UM) in 22 of the 25 pCTC patients (88%), whereas no conclusive diagnosis could be determined in the remaining 3 cases because of insufficient or invalid material. We report compelling evidence for the potential of liquid biopsy as an additional tool to screen SCMLs for malignancy. These findings pave the way toward the implementation of liquid biopsy to detect small UM and monitor melanocytic lesions. Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Growth rate of indeterminate choroidal lesions prior to melanoma diagnosis.

Small choroidal melanocytic lesions have a low rate of metastasis and can be reasonably managed with surveillance until they demonstrate evidence of growth or clinical risk factors for melanoma. However, even choroidal nevi are not stationary, with many exhibiting slow growth over time. We sought to quantify the growth rates of indeterminate choroidal lesions that were initially observed prior to a clinical diagnosis of melanoma. A single-center retrospective study was performed of patients diagnosed with choroidal melanoma based upon clinical characteristics who were initially followed for indeterminate lesions over at least 6 months. Subjects were included if they had a minimum of two B-scan ultrasound measurements prior to the visit at which melanoma was diagnosed. Demographic and tumor characteristics were collected from the medical record. Growth rates were calculated as the change in lesion thickness in mm per month and were recorded at 6-month intervals; ultrasound measurements less than 1 month apart were excluded. The characteristics of indeterminate lesions with faster versus slower growth rates prior to melanoma diagnosis were compared. Fifty-four patients met inclusion criteria. The mean age at melanoma diagnosis was 67.4 years, and 53.7% were female. Subjects had a median of four B-scan ultrasound measurements prior to melanoma diagnosis (range 2-19) and were followed for a median of 40.6 months (range 9.9-138.0 months). The mean lesion thickness was 1.4 mm (range 0.5-2.2 mm) at presentation, and increased to 2.3 mm (range 1.5-5.7 mm) at melanoma diagnosis. The mean growth rate did not exceed 0.021 mm/month (95% CI: 0.004-0.039; equivalent to 0.25 mm/year) for indeterminate lesions, but increased to 0.057 mm/month (95% CI: 0.043-0.071 mm/month; equivalent to 0.68 mm/year) at the time of melanoma diagnosis. Rapidly growing lesions had a greater tumor thickness and shorter duration of observation at the time of melanoma diagnosis. For most indeterminate choroidal lesions eventually diagnosed as melanoma, the lesion thickness was relatively stable for a period of time, then rose significantly between the penultimate visit and the final visit. These findings confirm the recommendation for continued monitoring of suspicious choroidal lesions, as the growth rate may accelerate just prior to melanoma diagnosis. Lesions with a mean growth rate of up to 0.25 mm/year were observed, whereas lesions clinically determined to have transformed into melanoma demonstrated a mean growth rate of 0.68 mm/year. These values provide a baseline for future studies and potential therapies directed at stabilizing or reducing the growth of indeterminate choroidal lesions or small choroidal melanomas. Limitations of this study include its retrospective nature and reliance on clinical diagnostic criteria.

Assessing Choroidal Nevi, Melanomas and Indeterminate Melanocytic Lesions Using Multimodal Imaging-A Retrospective Chart Review.

Using multimodal imaging, the literature proposed the following risk factors for choroidal nevus growth into melanoma: increased tumor thickness, subretinal fluid, decreased visual acuity, presence of orange pigment, ultrasound acoustic hollowness, and increased tumor diameter. This study investigated the presence of the mentioned risk factors in choroidal nevi, choroidal melanomas, and indeterminate choroidal melanocytic lesions. This retrospective, single-center chart review assessed choroidal melanocytic tumors with multimodal imaging. We defined our primary outcome as the cumulative presence of mentioned risk factors. Further, we evaluated various optical coherence tomography (OCT), ultrasound, and autofluorescence findings. We analyzed 51 tumors from 49 patients during the period from April 2008 to June 2021. The median (IQR) age was 64.0 (56.0 to 70.5) years, with 23 of 49 (46.9%) patients being female. The follow-up time for all tumors was median (IQR) 25.0 (12.0 to 39.0) months. The choroidal nevi had a median (range) risk score of 0.0 (0.0 to 3.0), and the choroidal melanoma of 5.0 (3.0 to 6.0), with statistically significant different ratings (p < 0.001). Multimodal imaging creates a score that may help to distinguish choroidal nevi from choroidal melanomas objectively.

Choroidal melanocytic lesions in children: focal aggregates and melanocytosis

To investigate prevalence and age of onset of choroidal melanocytic lesions (other than nevi) in pediatric patients. The pooled data of participants 6 months to 18 years of age in the Sydney Paediatric Eye Disease Study, the Sydney Myopia Study, and the Sydney Adolescent Vascular Eye Disease Study were reviewed retrospectively to identify children with choroidal melanocytic lesions. The clinical features and prevalence by age were assessed. From the pooled sample of 5,533 unique children, 39 cases of focal melanocytic aggregates and 22 cases of choroidal melanocytosis were identified, with overall prevalence of 0.70% and 0.40%, respectively. There was a statistically significant trend toward increased prevalence with increasing age. Both focal melanocytic aggregates and choroidal melanocytosis tended to be bilateral (100% and 86% respectively), brown in color, and temporally located in all cases. Amelanotic variants were not identified. Focal melanocytic aggregates were small (0.15-0.5 mm), whereas choroidal melanocytosis varied in size (5.0-20 mm). All focal melanocytic aggregates were characteristically located 4-5 mm temporal to the center ofthe fovea and were associated with linear nervelike (11 [28%]) or tortuous vessel like structures (10 [26%]). In this study, pooled data from large population studies revealed morphologic patterns of choroidal melanocytic lesions, other than nevus, that correlate with described clinicalappearance in adults. The association of focal melanocytic aggregates with nervelike structures supports their embryologic origin along the migration path of uveal melanocytes.

Small Choroidal Melanoma: Correlation of Growth Rate with Pathology

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate equivalence of growth rate and pathologic confirmation in small choroidal melanoma (SCM). Design: This study is a case series. Subjects, Participants, and Controls: A total of 61 patients with a choroidal melanocytic tumor of size 5.0–16.0 mm in the largest basal diameter and 1.0–2.5 mm in thickness were classified into the pathology-confirmed group (n = 19), growth-confirmed group (n = 30), and with combined observations (n = 12). Methods: Distribution of clinical variables (age, gender, laterality, tumor dimensions, tumor location, and presence of orange pigment, subretinal fluid, drusen, and retinal pigment epithelial [RPE] atrophy) between the groups was analyzed. Patient and disease characteristics were summarized as the median and interquartile range for continuous variables and the frequency and percentage for categorical variables. Comparisons were made using the Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables and either Fisher’s exact test or the χ² test for categorical variables with a p value threshold of 0.05 for statistical significance. Growth rate (change in basal dimension/12 months) diagnostic of SCM was quantified. Main Outcome Measures: The primary aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that “growth” was diagnostic of SCM with the secondary aim of quantifying the malignant “growth rate” (growth rate of SCM). Results: The clinical characteristics among all 3 groups were similar except more patients with symptoms (68 vs. 20 vs. 42%, p = 0.004) and juxtapapillary location (p = 0.03) were in the pathology group than in the growth-confirmed group. Those in the combined and growth-confirmed groups had more patients with drusen (11 vs. 60 vs. 50%, p = 0.003) and RPE atrophy (11 vs. 23 vs. 67%, p = 0.003), respectively, than in the pathology group. The median time to detect growth was 9 months (range 3–26 months). The mean growth rate in basal dimension was 1.8 mm/12 months (range, 0.0–7.4 mm; [95% CI: 1.32–2.28]). Conclusions and Relevance: Choroidal melanocytic lesions exhibiting a defined growth rate can be clinically diagnosed as SCM without a need for biopsy.

Choroidal nevi in children: prevalence, age of onset, and progression

To determine the age of onset and prevalence of choroidal nevi in children. In this cross-sectional study, the fundus photographs of a pooled sample of children 6months to 18years of age with 6-year longitudinal follow-up who participated in the Sydney Paediatric Eye Disease Study, Sydney Myopia Study, and the Sydney Adolescent Vascular Eye Disease Study were reviewed. Prevalence by age, clinical features, and longitudinal follow-up assessment was undertaken. Of 5,533 children (7,059 examinations), 48 children with a choroidal nevus were identified. Prevalence increased with age: <6years, 0.47%; 6years, 0.63%; 12years, 1.06%; 18years, 1.79%. Nevus was unilateral in all cases (100%), and the majority were melanotic (46, 96%). Most (36 [75%]) were irregular in shape, with ill-defined margins (45 [94%]). All identified nevi were posterior to the equator. All nevi were small, with the average largest basal diameter of 1.6mm (range, 0.5-3.2) and were not associated with secondary changes (drusen, orange pigment, subretinal fluid). The majority (18/31 [58%]) of nevi remained stable, with 5 of 31 (16%) demonstrating subtle growth (minimum of 600μm). Four new-onset nevi were documented. Malignant transformation was not observed in any of the nevi. In our study cohort, the prevalence of choroidal nevi increased with age up to 18years. The distribution and prevalence of choroidal melanocytic lesions reported herein can be used for designing population-based studies in children that incorporate emerging imaging technologies.

Survival in small choroidal melanocytic lesions with risk factors managed by initial observation until detection of tumour growth.

The main objective was to describe metastatic and survival rates in patients with small choroidal melanocytic lesions initially managed by observation. Retrospective, observational study of consecutive cases recruited from 2001 through 2018, followed for a median (mean, range) of 81.0 (89.3, 10-204) months in a tertiary referral centre for ocular oncology. Seventy-five consecutive patients diagnosed with small choroidal melanocytic lesions with risk factors for growth initially observed and who showed progression during follow-up. Treatment was performed (plaque radiotherapy or enucleation in 96% and 4% of cases, respectively) at detection of tumour growth. Median (mean, range) tumour thickness was 2.2 (2.23, 1.08-3.40) mm, and median maximum basal diameter was 8.5 (8.16, 4-12) mm. At diagnosis, a median (mean, range) of 5 (5.48, 1-8) risk factors for progression were present. Lesions grew at a median (mean, range) rate of 0.42 mm/y (1.12, 0-7.68) in thickness and 1.05 mm/y (3.14, 0-4.8) in maximum diameter. Median (mean, range) time until growth was 17.00 (32.6, 1-161) months post-diagnosis, at which time tumours were treated. Five patients developed local recurrence after brachytherapy requiring enucleation. Four patients developed hepatic metastasis. Melanoma-specific survival was 98% at 5 years (95% CI, 94.2-100%) and 91.6% (95% CI, 82-100%) at 10 and 15 years. In small melanocytic lesions with risk factors for growth, initial observation until detection of tumour growth results in a seemingly low risk of metastasis, suggesting that this may be an initial approach to consider in tumours with indeterminate malignant potential.

Gene Expression Profiling as an Adjunctive Measure to Guide the Management of Indeterminate, High-Risk Choroidal Melanocytic Lesions: A Pilot Study

Purpose: To describe our early experience with gene expression profiling (GEP) assessment for juxtafoveal, subfoveal, and peripapillary indeterminate high-risk melanocytic lesions to assist in making early treatment decisions in patients who did not feel comfortable with either close observation or definitive treatment. Methods: A prospective cohort of patients with indeterminate lesions who underwent GEP were enrolled. Nonparametric statistical analysis was utilized given the small sample size. Results: Fifteen patients were included in this series. Six (40%) were class 1A and 9 (60%) class 1B. Class 1A and 1B lesions had a median of three and four clinical risk factors, respectively (p = 0.27). There was no statistically significant difference for the largest basal diameter between the classes (p = 0.31); however, class 1B lesions were thicker than class 1A lesions (p = 0.03). None of the class 1A lesions showed definite growth or metastasis over a mean follow-up period of 17.1 ± 1.8 months from fine needle aspiration biopsy. All class 1B patients opted for plaque brachytherapy, and to date none of these patients have developed metastasis, with a mean follow-up of 18.7 ± 8.4 months. Conclusion: There may be a role for GEP assessment in high-risk, indeterminate, posteriorly located choroidal lesions to assist in treatment planning.

Evaluation of choroidal lesions with swept-source optical coherence tomography

AimsThe aim of our study was to image choroidal lesions with swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and to identify the morphological characteristics associated with optimal visualisation.MethodsThis was a prospective, cross-sectional...

Clinical, optical coherence tomography, and fundus autofluorescence findings in patients with intraocular tumors.

PurposeTo describe clinical, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) findings in patients with intraocular tumors and determine if OCT and FAF could be helpful in the differential diagnosis and management of different choroidal tumors.MethodsForty-nine patients with untreated, macular, midperipheral, and extrapapillary intraocular tumors were included. All patients underwent ophthalmic examination: best-corrected visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, funduscopy, and standardized B mode, and if possible A mode, ultrasonography, and OCT and FAF imaging of the surface of the intraocular tumors.ResultsOf the 49 patients studied, 19 had choroidal nevi, ten had indeterminate choroidal melanocytic lesions (IMLs), ten had malignant melanomas, and ten had other choroidal tumors. The choroidal nevi revealed subretinal fluid (SRF) on OCT in only 11%. FAF detected isoauto-fluorescence in 42%, hypoautofluorescence in 37%, patchy FAF pattern in 16%, and a diffuse FAF pattern in 5%. Seventy percent of patients with IML showed SRF on OCT and 20% showed tumor growth on follow-up, detected only by OCT and FAF imaging. FAF revealed a patchy pattern in 50% and a diffuse pattern in 40% of cases with IML. Ninety percent of the patients with choroidal melanoma had SRF on OCT and FAF revealed a patchy pattern in 60% and a diffuse pattern in 40%. Patients with other choroidal tumors had SRF on OCT in 30% of cases and no characteristic pattern on FAF.ConclusionBoth OCT and FAF were helpful in the differential diagnosis of choroidal nevi versus IMLs, choroidal melanomas, and other choroidal tumors. Also, detailed and periodical clinical evaluation of patients with intraocular tumors using OCT and FAF imaging for the detection of both SRF and FAF patterns overlying the tumor can be useful for detection of tumor growth.

Histopathologic Findings in the Areas of Orange Pigment Overlying Choroidal Melanomas.

PurposeOrange pigment is an important sign of malignancy in melanocytic tumors. There is a question as to whether the pigment accumulation is inside of macrophages or retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. We investigated which cells are involved with this color alteration.MethodsWe examined enucleated specimens from two patients with choroidal melanoma and dense orange pigment on fundus examination. Color fundus and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) photographs were reviewed followed by examination with fluorescent microscopy, electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry of enucleated eyes for the specific areas corresponding to the orange pigment.ResultsOrange pigment was observed on color fundus photography and correlated with areas of hyperautofluorescence on FAF. Fluorescent microscopy of sections of the enucleated eyes showed autofluorescence in the RPE, which were most pronounced where there was a localized retinal detachment and reactive hyperplasia of the RPE. Immunohistochemical studies were done with keratin (OSCAR and AE1/AE3) and S-100 stained RPE cells, which still were attached to Bruch's membrane. Histiocytes present in the detached retina stained with anti-CD163 antibody and did not show autofluorescence. Electron microscopy studies of the same areas showed the presence of lipofuscin and melanolipofuscin within the clustered RPE cells.ConclusionsOrange pigment in choroidal melanocytic lesions originates from the RPE cells, rather than macrophages, and is most abundant where there is proliferation of the RPE.Translational RelevanceThe orange pigment tumoral biomarker arises and is in the retinal pigment epithelium.

Detection of circulating melanoma cells in choroidal melanocytic lesions.

PurposeTo detect and quantify circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in peripheral blood of patients with uveal melanoma primary non-metastatic tumours, and to analyze the possible relationship between CTCs and clinical risk factors.MethodsProspective study with two clinical groups: 4 patients diagnosed with choroidal nevus and 8 patients with choroidal melanoma prior to treatment. A single sample of 7.5 mL of peripheral blood was taken and the CTCs were isolated using a CellSearch system that captures positive cells for the CD146 antigen (MUC18).ResultsNone of the patients with choroidal nevus showed CTCs in peripheral blood. More than one CTC/7.5 mL was detected in 50 % of patients with choroidal melanoma prior to treatment. The higher level of CTC cells in peripheral blood (3/7.5 mL) was detected in the patient with the larger choroidal melanoma which also presented extrascleral extension and epithelioid pathology.ConclusionPerforming an analysis with the CellSearch system allows to quantify the choroidal melanoma CTCs in peripheral blood. This finding highlights the potential usefulness of this technique to achieve the correct stratification and monitoring of the treatment.

Primary transpupillary thermotherapy for choroidal indeterminate melanocytic lesions

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the ocular and metastatic outcomes of patients with choroidal indeterminate melanocytic lesions treated by primary transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT). DesignRetrospective case series. ParticipantsEight patients presenting choroidal indeterminate melanocytic lesions treated by primary TTT. MethodsA retrospective chart review was conducted for patients with a newly diagnosed choroidal indeterminate melanocytic lesion treated by at least 3 TTT sessions from 2002 to 2011. Best-corrected visual acuity and lesion dimensions were measured at baseline and during follow-up. Complications were recorded including lesion growth, metastasis, melanoma-related mortality, and treatment-related complications. ResultsMean initial thickness was 2.0 ± 0.8 mm. Patients had an average of 3.0 ± 0.9 risk factors for lesion growing. Three patients (38%) had lesion growth. Two patients (25%) had severe visual loss (>1.0 logMAR) directly related to TTT treatment. There were no fatalities due to metastasis. ConclusionsDespite careful patient selection and systematic treatment with at least 3 TTT sessions, the use of primary TTT to treat patients with choroidal indeterminate melanocytic lesions with ≥ 1 risk factor for lesion growth yielded poor local lesion control and the possibility for severe ocular complications.

SUBTHRESHOLD TRANSPUPILLARY THERMOTHERAPY IN MANAGEMENT OF FOVEAL SUBRETINAL FLUID IN SMALL PIGMENTED CHOROIDAL LESIONS

To evaluate the effect of subthreshold transpupillary thermotherapy (sTTT) in foveal subretinal fluid of small pigmented choroidal lesions. Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. We reviewed patients with small pigmented choroidal lesions presenting foveal subretinal fluid and treated with sTTT to evaluate fluid regression. We treated 13 patients with small pigmented choroidal lesions with a mean height of 2.02 ± 0.54 mm (range, 1.4-2.9 mm) and a mean largest diameter of 7.60 ± 1.98 mm (range, 5-11 mm). In 11 cases, foveal subretinal fluid was completely resolved (84.6%), with a mean follow-up of 42.46 ± 26.29 months (range, 12-103 months). The mean number of sTTT sessions applied was 1.38 ± 0.77 (range, 1-3 sessions), at a mean spot size of 1,570.59 ± 795.1 μm (range, 500-3,000 μm), and overall exposure time of 2.32 ± 1.2 minutes (range, 1-6 minutes). Mean laser power applied was 370.63 ± 162.87 mW (range, 200 to 600 mW). Best-corrected visual acuity at the time of diagnosis was maintained or improved in 69.3% of patients after sTTT treatment. During follow-up, tumor progression was reported in 5 cases, regardless of the presence of subretinal fluid. These cases were treated promptly with brachytherapy. However, sTTT may be effective in solving foveal subretinal fluid in small pigmented choroidal lesions, attaining satisfactory visual acuity in most cases.

Photodynamic therapy for symptomatic high risk choroidal melanocytic lesions

AbstractPurpose To evaluate the role of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for symptomatic high risk choroidal melanocytic (HRCM) lesions with subretinal fluid extending to the fovea.Methods Retrospective review of the medical records of all patients who underwent PDT for a HRCM lesion.Results Seventeen patients were included in the study. The mean initial visual acuity was 20/80 (range CF‐20/20). The mean initial tumor thickness was 1.23 mm (range 0.66‐1.93). All tumors presented at least 2 risk factors for growing. The mean number of PDT sessions was 1.41 (range 1‐3). The mean final visual acuity improved to 20/60 (range CF‐ 20/20). Subretinal fluid was reduced in all (100%) eyes and had completely disappeared in 9 (53%) eyes after PDT. The mean final tumor thickness increased to 1.24 mm (range 0.66 to 2.01) at a mean follow‐up of 22.47 months (range 6‐60). Tumor thickness increased in 3 (18%) eyes, remained unchanged in 13 (76%) eyes, and 1 (6%) lesion shrank down to a flat chorioretinal scar.Conclusion PDT prevents vision loss with improvement of choroidal leakage in HRCM lesions with serous macular detachment, but doesn´t allow a good local tumor control. Longer follow‐up is required to determine its value in these patients.

Primary transpupillary thermotherapy of choroidal melanocytic lesions

Purpose:To evaluate the role of primary transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) in the treatment of choroidal melanocytic lesions.Materials and Methods:Retrospective chart review of 24 patients (24 eyes) with choroidal melanocytic lesions, including 20 choroidal melanoma and four choroidal nevus treated with primary TTT. Choroidal nevus cases treated with primary TTT either demonstrated risk factors for growth into an early melanoma or had overlying choroidal neovascularization.Results:The mean initial tumor basal diameter was 6.6 (3.0-10.0) mm and the mean initial tumor thickness was 3.0 (1.0-5.0) mm. The mean number of TTT sessions was 2.5 (1-6). The mean decrease in tumor thickness was 1.2 mm (from 3.0 to 1.8 mm) at a mean follow-up of 22.7 (range 3-90) months. On the LogMar scale, visual acuity was stable at 1.0. Complications occurred in 50% of eyes. The most frequent complications were vitreous hemorrhage [5 patients (20.8%)], focal cataract [5 patients (20.8%)], iris atrophy [4 patients (16.6%)] and posterior synechia [4 patients (16.6%)]. There was no significant difference in the complication rate with respect to tumor thickness >3 mm versus tumor thickness ≤3 mm and juxtapapillary versus nonjuxtapapillary location (Fisher’s exact test, P>0.05). Kaplan-Meier curves showed that 9% of eyes develop recurrence by 1 year and 27% develop recurrence by 5 years after primary TTT. Two eyes (8.3%) were enucleated because of neovascular glaucoma and one eye (4.1%) was exenterated because of extraocular tumor recurrence. Globe salvage was achieved in 21 patients (87.5%). One patient (4.1%) with extraocular tumor recurrence developed liver metastasis and expired.Conclusions:Although TTT may be useful in the treatment of small choroidal melanocytic lesions, the high complication and recurrence rates warrant close monitoring of patients after primary TTT even when a flat chorioretinal scar has been achieved.

3D Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Findings in Choroidal Tumors

To report the optical coherence tomographic features differentiating choroidal nevus from choroidal melanoma by 3D spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and OCT characteristics of other choroidal tumors. A total of 67 consecutive eyes with choroidal tumors including choroidal nevus (25 eyes), indeterminate choroidal melanocytic lesion (11 eyes), malignant melanoma (23 eyes), metastasis (4 eyes), hemangioma (2 eyes), and osteoma (2 eyes) were imaged with 3D SD-OCT (OCT-1000; Topcon Inc., Paramus, NJ). The images were analyzed for the presence or absence of SD-OCT findings such as retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/choriocapillaris reflectivity, RPE irregularity, drusen, sub-RPE fluid, RPE thickness, subretinal deposit, subretinal fluid, intraretinal edema, retinal thickness, and photoreceptor inner and outer segment junction (IS/OS). Visualization of the choroidal tumor and its intrinsic reflectivity OCT features were also assessed. When compared with nevus, subretinal deposit, subretinal fluid, and intraretinal edema were detected significantly more frequently in the eyes with malignant melanoma (p<0.001). SD-OCT visualization of the tumor was limited only to the anterior aspect. Choroidal nevus, indeterminate lesions, melanoma, and metastatic lesions had variable intrinsic reflectivity pattern. Intrinsic features of hemangioma included choroidal hollowness whereas osteoma demonstrated high intrinsic reflectivity. SD-OCT provides useful information to observe and document the retinal and RPE changes secondary to choroidal tumors that help differentiate choroidal nevus from malignant melanoma. Improvements in the current OCT systems are needed to better characterize intrinsic features of choroidal tumors.

Fundus autofluorescence and optical coherence tomography findings in choroidal melanocytic lesions

Purpose:To establish the characteristics of secondary retinal and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) changes associated with the presence of choroidal melanoma and choroidal nevus as documented by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus autofluorescence (FAF).Materials and Methods:PubMed review of major English publications examining the correlation between clinical characteristics of choroidal melanoma and nevus with OCT and FAF findings.Results:The intrinsic properties of choroidal melanoma, as well as overlying RPE changes, drusen, and lipofuscin are best characterized by FAF, while OCT is more sensitive for the identification of subretinal and intraretinal fluid as well as atrophy, degeneration, and photoreceptor loss in the neurosensory retina.Conclusions:Secondary retinal changes associated with choroidal melanocytic lesions can be documented by OCT and FAF. OCT-evident changes are observed more often with choroidal melanoma than choroidal nevus. OCT is better suited to identify the overlying retinal detachment and edema, even before these findings are clinically apparent. FAF is most useful in documenting the presence of lipofuscin, a finding that represents one of the important criteria in differentiating small choroidal melanoma from benign choroidal nevus.

Fourier domain optical coherence tomographic and auto-fluorescence findings in indeterminate choroidal melanocytic lesions

AimTo compare detection rates of drusen and subretinal fluid by Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FD OCT) and orange pigment by fundus autofluorescence (FAF) with ophthalmoscopy in indeterminate choroidal melanocytic...