Choroidal Naevi Research Articles

Immunoscintigraphy in intraocular malignant melanoma.

Immunoscintigraphy of malignant tumours has become an encouraging tool in nuclear medicine. Early diagnosis of small lesions is mandatory for successful cancer therapy. The scintigraphic detectability of small lesions (less than 1 cm in diameter) by immunoscintigraphy is shown in 39 patients suffering from ocular tumours (37 malignant choroidal melanoma, two benign choroidal naevi) using 99Tcm-labelled F(ab')2 fragments of the anti-melanoma monoclonal antibody 225.28S; this antibody recognizes the high molecular weight melanoma-associated antigen. No adverse effects were observed. In terms of true-positive results, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) proved to be superior to planar scans (73% versus 41% true-positive results).

Differential diagnosis of small pigmented choroidal tumours.

Forty-one pigmented choroidal tumours: 18 clinical naevi and 23 melanomas, were studied by measuring the prominence of the tumour and by performing a 32 P isotope test, fluorescein angiography and perimetry. The test results permitted a reliable differentiation between choroidal naevus and melanoma.

Colour Infrared Photography of the Ocular Fundus

Colour infrared retinal photographic records were made over a wide range of fundus abnormalities and compared with normal retinal photographs. Vascular leakage, correlating well with fluorescein angiography could be identified on infrared films. Incidental discoveries of presumed angioid streaks, not visible ophthalmoscopically, were made in eyes photographed for other features. Colour infrared photography offers an effective method of differential diagnosis between choroidal haemorrhage and choroidal melanoma and a useful method of following the course of choroidal naevi. Infrared photographs reveal considerably more choroidal details than is possible using visible light photography or ophthalmoscopy.