Search

BACKGROUND The occurrence of bilateral uveal melanoma is rare. This is the first reported case of bilateral melanoma of the choroidea in Austria. METHODS The chart of a 62-year-old male patient with bilateral melanoma of the choroidea was reviewed. RESULTS In October 1992, a patient was diagnosed with a choroidal melanoma in the left eye. After two treatments with a ruthenium applicator in 1992 and 1995, the left eye was enucleated in 1999 due to recurrent growth of the choroidal melanoma. In September 2005, the patient presented with a primary choroidal melanoma in the remaining right eye. Sonography of the liver as well as CCT and bone marrow scintigraphy showed no sign of metastatic disease. A ruthenium-106 brachytherapy was performed and the size and height of the melanoma showed decreases. In July 2006, the patient developed metastatic disease and died the following month due to metastasis of the liver. In the genetic analysis, monosomy 3 was detected in both melanoma, an amplification of c-MYC of chromosome 8 was detected in the melanoma of the right eye only. CONCLUSION Bilateral uveal melanoma is a rare diagnosis. This case shows the importance of a thorough and recurrent examination of the second eye. The results of the genetic analysis are discussed.

BACKGROUND: Lesions of the iris require a thorough examination to differentiate them from malignant melanoma because of the severe therapeutic consequences of the latter entity. METHODS: We observed two cases with a unilateral lesion on the iris, both suspicious of malignant melanoma of the iris. Ophthalmological, echographical and ultrasound biomicroscopical examinations were done. RESULTS: The cases of a 66-year-old man with a metallic foreign body and a 37-year-old man with a foreign body, both located on the iris, are presented. CONCLUSION: In both patients an unclear lesion of the iris, supicious of a malignant melanoma of the iris, turned out to be a foreign body after ophthalmoscopic examination. Both echography and ultrasound biomicroscopy were carried out and proved to be useful to confirm the diagnosis. No ocular inflammations, siderosis or secondary glaucoma occurred in the described cases. Observation of dormant foreign bodies is sufficient.