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The pediatric malignancy retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular tumor in the world, reflecting the rarity of uveal melanoma in populous nations like China and India.1,2 Kivela has estimated that there are approximately 8000 retinoblastomas yearly in the world and about 1000 fewer uveal melanomas, which typically occur in older adults.2

Uveal melanoma (UM) is a malignant intraocular tumor in adults. Metastasis develops in almost half of the patients and over 90% of the metastases are in the liver. With the advances in molecular targeting therapy for melanoma, a proper metastasis animal model is of increasing importance for testing the accuracy and effectiveness of systemic therapies. Here, we describe a xenograft model for mimicking human UM liver metastasis by injecting human UM cells into the vitreous cavity in nude mice. The athymic nude mice are immunocompromised and suitable for xenograft tumor growth and metastasis, and intravitreal injection of cells is a quicker and easier operation under a binocular scope, thereby it is simple and effective to test human UM growth and metastasis.

Choroidal nevus is the most common type of intraocular tumor with an estimated prevalence of 6.5% and 1.4% in Caucasian and Asian populations, respectively [1]. Due to pigmentation, melanotic choroidal nevi are relatively opaque to internal examination under white light. Operating at infrared wavelengths, swept source optical coherence tomography penetrates deeper into pigmented tissue and in the case of melanotic choroidal nevi can demonstrate internal features of nevi, such as blood vessels and granularity, as well as adjacent choriocapillaris abnormalities.

The relentless work ethic of Marie Sklodowska-Curie realized the discovery of radium. This led to its medical application and advent for the mainstay treatment of the most common primary intraocular tumor, uveal melanoma. It is clear that intellectual, physical and emotional obstacles challenged Marie’s accomplishments. Accompanied by her husband, Marie’s systemic approach using quantitative methodology allowed her to make numerous pioneering landmarks in history.

The patients’ survival for the most common intraocular tumor in children, retinoblastoma, has a wide spectrum among the world countries. This study was conducted to provide an overview of the retinoblastoma survival disparity worldwide by discussing the trends of patients’ survival, as well as recent advances in the management of retinoblastoma.The design of this study was literature review and commentary. Selected articles from PubMed (except one) including both developing and developed countries regarding the patients’ survival in retinoblastoma were considered and reviewed critically. An analysis of 47 articles was performed. In conclusion, in spite of an obvious contrast of retinoblastoma survival disparity in the world, the expanding horizons in developing countries are promising and continuing on all fronts and results are hope-inspiring.

We report the case of a 50-year-old woman with a history of diabetes mellitus who underwent left breast lumpectomy and ipsilateral lymphadenectomy in 1994 because of an infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy to the breast and nodal areas were performed. In 2010, in a routine screening for diabetic retinopathy, two choroidal elevated masses above and below the optic nerve associated to serous retinal detachment of her right eye were noted. The patient was asymptomatic. Carcinoma was positive for hormone receptor. Hormone treatment with letrozole was established. Complete regression of the choroidal metastasis was observed 3 months later. Ophthalmologic screening in asymptomatic patients with breast cancer has the advantage of being a noninvasive procedure and enables an early treatment in isolated cases. However, some studies are an argument against the usefulness of eye screening due to the low incidence of asymptomatic choroidal metastasis and the cost that involves performing it routinely in a large number of patients. Aromatase inhibitors are well-tolerated drugs that may be a powerful tool in the management of metastatic breast cancer that express hormone receptors.

Malignant teratoid medulloepithelioma of ciliary body is an extremely rare tumor usually occurring in children younger than 5years of age and is usually amelanotic. Here, we report a very rare case of pigmented malignant teratoid medulloepithelioma in a 20-year old male patient who presented initially with pain, redness and proptosis of right eyeball. The right eyeball was enucleated. A histopathological diagnosis of orbital teratoma was made and no further treatment was given. Four months later, the patient developed another swelling in the same area. A review of the previous histopathology slides revealed a pigmented malignant teratoid medulloepithelioma. No nerve involvement was seen. MRI did not show any intracranial extension. The mass along with rest of the orbital tissue was removed. No adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy was given due to the lack of intracranial extension. The patient was symptom free at 2-year follow-up and the repeat MRI also showed no evidence of recurrence.

Purpose The aim of this article is to report a case of uveal tuberculoma simulating an intraocular tumor in which the diagnosis was only possible by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Method This is a case report. Results A36-year-old male presented with a progressive growing intraocular tumor and no history or positive test for other systemic disease. The eye eventually turned blind and painful and was enucleated. Histopathologic analysis revealed a granulomatous reaction and caseation necrosis but failed to identify any causative microorganisms. Final tuberculosis diagnosis was only possible by quantitative PCR. Conclusion Isolated uveal tuberculoma can present in an otherwise healthy patient with negative systemic tuberculosis evaluation. PCR can be used to confirm tuberculosis when other methods have failed.

Diffraction enhanced imaging (DEI) with edge enhancement is suitable for the observation of weakly absorbing objects. The potential ability of the DEI was explored for displaying the microanatomy and pathology of human eyeball in this work. The images of surgical specimens from malignant intraocular tumor of hospitalized patients were taken using the hard X-rays from the topography station of Beamline 4W1A at Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility (BSRF). The obtained radiographic images were analyzed in correlation with those of pathology. The results show that the anatomic and pathologic details of intraocular tumors in human beings can be observed clearly by DEI for the first time, with good visualization of the microscopic details of eyeball ring such as sclera, choroids and other details of intraocular organelles. And the best resolution of DEI images reaches up to the magnitude of several tens of μm. The results suggest that it is capable of exhibiting clearly the details of intraocular tumor using DEI method.

The authors describe three cases of trilateral retinoblastoma, a rare syndrome that occurs most often in young children. Two of these children were 3 years old at diagnosis, and the other 4 years old. The retinoblastoma was unilateral in one child and bilateral in the others. All underwent computed tomography (CT) imaging, which made it possible to locate the intraocular tumor lesions, to specify the extent of the tumor and to look for a possible intracranial neoplasm. Unfortunately, the cost of CT is high, which limits its use in our context.

Eyes to be enucleated due to intraocular tumor or absolute glaucoma were used in an ultrasonic investigation of foreign bodies situated retrosclerally, or in the choroid-scleral complex. The echograph findings of four intra-choroidal, five intrascleral and three retroscleral foreign bodies were demonstrated. The foreign bodies were of iron, and were polygonal in shape. The intrachoroidal foreign bodies weighed 0.081–0.327 mg, the intrascleral 0.120–0.685 mg and the retroscleral 0.787–1.456 mg. In cases where double perforation is suspected, and where the ocular media are turbid, ultrasonography would appear capable of giving valuable information as to whether a foreign body is located intra- or extraocularly.

In this review, we discuss the genetic features of uveal melanoma and the different available genetic and genomic tests. Despite improvements in diagnosis and treatment of this intraocular tumor, there has not been a change in survival in the past few decades. Insights into the molecular changes in uveal melanoma have provided us with the opportunity to assess the risk of metastatic disease for individual patients. There are few treatments available for metastasized uveal melanoma and, in a relatively short time-frame, patients with this condition die because of this metastasis. The focus of research may need to shift towards adjuvant therapies for high-risk uveal melanomas.

One of the most popular radioisotopes used in the prostate brachytherapy is Palladium-103 (103 Pd). The radioactive plaque is sewn onto the eye as to cover the intraocular tumor shadow with a 2-3 mm margin. These plaques are temporary and radiation is continuously delivered over 5 to 7 days. At the end of treatment, the plaque is removed from eye. In this study, production cross–section calculations of 103 Pd radionuclide used in brachytherapy produced by 101 Ru(α,2n), 100 Ru(α,n), 102 Ru(3 He,2n) and 101 Ru(3 He,n) reactions have been investigated in the different incident energy range up to 35 MeV. Twocomponent Exciton model and Generalized Superfluid model of the TALYS 1.6 code used to perform calculations and calculation results were compared with experimental results reported in the literature.

Background Retinoblastoma is a malignant tumor of the embryonic neural retina. About 80% of cases are diagnosed before age 4, with a median age at diagnosis of 2 years. Objective To determine characteristics and prognosis of retinoblastoma in children older than 5 years. Procedures From 1986 to 2002, medical records of 16 patients out of 453 cases referred to Hospital do Câncer AC Camargo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Results Median age at diagnosis was 73.7 months (range 65–144) and there was an equal gender distribution. Fifteen patients presented with unilateral disease. The mean time between first symptoms and diagnosis was 9.6 months (range 0–48). Most cases were diagnosed in advanced stages and 15 eyes were enucleated. Eleven patients presented with intraocular tumor (1 Reese II and 10 Reese V) and five presented with extraocular disease (one CCG II and four CCG III). Twelve patients are still alive with a median follow-up of 92 months (range 65–199). Conclusions Because of its low incidence at this age, diagnosis of retinoblastoma is usually delayed due to low level of suspicion. Therefore, it is important that physicians are aware of this disease in order to perform an earlier diagnosis, and decrease treatment-related morbidity. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;48:292–295. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Uveal melanoma is a malignant intraocular tumor associated with poor vital prognosis, process generalization, and death from metastatic disease. A number of factors are considered undesirable in the presence of a tumor. This paper provides a review of the literature on major prognostic factors for uveal melanoma development and their contribution to vital prognosis.Увеальная меланома - злокачественная внутриглазная опухоль с плохим витальным прогнозом, приводящая к генерализации процесса и смерти больных от метастатической болезни. Существует ряд факторов, оказывающих неблагоприятное воздействие на течение опухолевого процесса. Настоящая работа представляет обзор литературы по основным прогностическим критериям увеальной меланомы и их значимости для витального прогноза заболевания.

The molecular and cellular basis of human choroidal malignant melanoma progression has remained largely unknown. However, choroidal melanoma is the most important primary intraocular tumor in adults. Developmentally, choroidal melanocytes are of neural crest origin similar to cutaneous melanocytes. However, there are some significant differences between cutaneous and uveal melanocytes that have yet to be fully assessed. The purpose of this study is to describe choroidal melanocytes. We will describe the significant differences between cutaneous and uveal melanocytes as well as the congenital and acquired diseases of uveal melanocytes. We will then describe the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in melanoma progression.

Hintergrund In den meisten Fallen intraokularer Raumforderungen kann die Diagnose mittels biomikroskopischer Untersuchung und unter Zuhilfenahme der heute verfugbaren bildgebenden Verfahren (Ultraschall, Angiographie, Computertomographie und Magnetresonanz) mit groser Sicherheit gestellt werden. Dennoch bleibt in einem kleinen Prozentsatz der Falle die Diagnose auch unter Anwendung aller nicht-invasiven Untersuchungstechniken unsicher. Aus diesem Grund hat sich seit vielen Jahren die Technik der Biopsie intraokularer Tumore zur Gewinnung von Zellmaterial und damit der Moglichkeit zur zytologischen Diagnostik bestandig weiterentwickelt. Die Bedeutung dieser diagnostischen Methode ist jedoch nicht unumstritten und sie wird an nur wenigen Zentren durchgefuhrt. Seit Beginn 2003 wird an der Augenklinik der Medizinischen Universitat Graz die Biopsie zur Diagnosesicherung bei verdachtigen intraokularen Raumforderungen in speziellen Fallen und bei genau definierter Fragestellung durchgefuhrt. Ziel der folgenden Arbeit ist die Darstellung der angewandten Technik sowie der damit erzielten Resultate und der in diesem Zeitraum gewonnenen Erfahrung.

Primary uveal melanoma is extremely rare in children and also among blacks. Uveal melanomas may be associated with various preexisting conditions, including congenital ocular melanocytosis and dysplastic nevus syndrome. We report the case of a 4-year-old black girl who presented with pronounced proptosis and no light perception secondary to a massive intraocular tumor with extrascleral extension. Biopsy of the tumor confirmed the diagnosis of primary uveal melanoma, and the patient was treated by enucleation and external beam radiation therapy. Although metastatic disease was ruled out at the time, the patient died approximately 3 months later.

To present the case of a patient with leiomyoma of the ciliary body and discuss the histological features and treatment of this rare intraocular tumor. METHODS/CASE REPORT: A 13-year-old boy presented with an asymptomatic tumor of the right eye. Visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes. Ophthalmoscopy revealed an amelanotic, vascularized ciliary body tumor with exudative retinal detachment and partial transillumination. On ultrasound examination the tumor height was 8 mm and a low internal reflectivity was found. T2-weighted MRI scans showed a hypointense and T1-weighted scans a hyperintense intraocular mass with significant Gd-TPA enhancement. On the assumption that the diagnosis was consistent with an amelanotic ciliary body melanoma, a transscleral resection with adjuvant ruthenium-106 brachytherapy was performed. Visual acuity was 20/40 at 6 months after the operation.Routine stains revealed a pleomorphic tumor composed mainly of spindle cells with palisading in some areas and a prominent intercellular fibrillary background. Immunohistochemistry showed positivity for desmin, vimentin and actin. No reactivity with S-100 and HMB-45 was seen. Intracytoplasmatic filaments and micropinocytotic vesicles were detected by transmission electron microscopy. These findings were consistent with the diagnosis of a ciliary body leiomyoma.Typical clinical features of leiomyoma include a dome-shaped configuration and translucency, but the final diagnosis can only be confirmed by histology with the aid of immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Though rare, leiomyoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of amelanotic uveal tumors. Transscleral resection is the treatment of choice of anterior uveal leiomyomas, with a fairly good visual prognosis.

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common adult intraocular tumor. UM often involves activating mutations in guanine nucleotide binding protein (G protein), q polypeptide (GQ), or G Protein, α 11 (G11). We show that the Yes-associated protein (Yap) inhibitor verteporfin blocks tumor growth of Gq/11-mutated UM cells.

Research in nanomedicine has grown rapidly over the past few years and is playing a key role in the development of effective treatments for ophthalmological purpose. Retinoblastoma is an intraocular tumor triggered by genetic mutation in young children and photodynamic therapy (PDT) is currently developed as a promising non-mutagenic approach to treat this cancer. In this work, we have first identified two receptors, MRC2 and CD209, which are highly expressed by retinoblastoma. Then, we developed mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) grafted with the antibodies anti-MRC2 and/or anti-CD209 for retinoblastoma PDT and imaging.

Adenoma of the non-pigmented ciliary epithelium (ANPCE) is extremely rare. The aim of this study is to present our experience in treating this rare entity and to determine the long-term surgical outcomes of local tumor resection (partial iridocyclectomy with lamellar sclerouvectomy) in five cases of ANPCE in China.The medical data of four women and one man ranging in age from 28 to 46 years (median, 38 years) with ANPCE were reviewed retrospectively at the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University, China. All patients had received local tumor resection and the diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination.All five cases experienced blurred vision. The right eye was affected in four cases and the left in one. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealed a nodular, non-pigmented, gray-white mass with a slightly irregular surface. Tumor invasion through the peripheral iris was observed in two patients, two patients had multiple iris or ciliary cysts, and one patient had a partially bloodstained cornea. All tumors transmitted light readily. Ultrasound biomicroscopy showed a middle- or hyper-echoic solid mass in the ciliary body. MRI examination showed the tumor hyperintense to vitreous on T1WI and hypointense to vitreous on T2WI. Local resection was performed in all cases. After a median of 5.0 years of follow-up, no tumor recurrence was present in any of the cases and all involved eyes were saved. The visual acuity improved seven lines in three cases, decreased one line in one case, and vision was lost in one case.ANPCE often presents in adults as gray-white in color, with an irregular and sometimes multilobulated surface. The tumor transmits light well. Local resection of the mass generally provides the patient with useful vision. Recurrence after surgical removal is unlikely.

Retinoblastoma is the most common primary malignant intraocular tumor of childhood. It may present with atypical features, particularly in older children. The authors report a case of unsuspected retinoblastoma following evisceration in a 9-year-old girl who had previous pars plana vitrectomy in the affected eye.

PubMed: 1789100 Abstract Ultrasonography and computerized tomography (CT) of the painful and blind right eye of a 13?year?old girl showed a cystic mass almost filling the vitreous cavity and narrowing the anterior chamber. The histopathologic diagnosis of the enucleated eye was an echinococcus cyst. Abdominal ultrasonography, brain CT and chest X?rays gave no abnormal findings when first examined, nor during the follow?up 18 months after surgery. Indirect hemagglutination test was negative at the last control. The case was accepted as a primary hydatid cyst (echinococcosis) of the eyeball. 1991 Institution Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica

Retinoblastoma is the most frequently occurring malignant intraocular tumor of childhood, presenting in 1 in 20,000 live births, with an overall survival rate of 84% to 95%. 64,67,77 Management of retinoblastoma has changed significantly in recent years. The major goals of treatment are primarily to save the patient's life, and secondarily to salvage the eye and vision if possible. Current treatment modalities include enucleation, external beam radiotherapy, plaque radiotherapy, laser photoablation, thermotherapy, cryotherapy, chemotherapy, and combinations of these. The choice of treatment depends on the size, location, and extent of the tumor; whether the disease is unilateral or bilateral; the visual potential of the involved eyes; and whether evidence exists for extraocular or metastatic disease. These treatment options are discussed in detail with an emphasis on newer approaches.

Background Primary ocular lymphoma is a distinct subtype of intraocular lymphoma. Its clinical presentation can mimic benign conditions. Diagnosis is often based on obtaining an intraocular biopsy. Optimal management is not yet realized. Methods This report combines the experience of the author with a review of the current literature pertaining to intraocular lymphoma. Results Primary ocular lymphoma, a subtype of primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma, has a variable clinical course and frequently mimics benign inflammatory disease. Even when suspected, diagnosis can be elusive. Chemoradiation is the most effective treatment, but significant ocular and cerebral morbidity is associated with its use. Novel treatment regimens may reduce or eliminate side effects while preserving life, vision, and CNS function. Conclusions Primary CNS lymphoma with ocular involvement should be considered in patients with refractory uveitis, yellow-white choroidal masses, and CNS lymphoma. Aggressiveness in making the diagnosis should be tempered by the potential complications of the diagnostic process and advanced by the life-threatening nature of the disease. Treatment should attempt to maximize efficacy while incorporating considerations such as extent of disease and the patient's age, health, and mental state.

Uveal melanoma is the most frequent primary malignant intraocular tumor in adults. Secondary glaucoma is a rare and unusual circumstance discovery of a malignant choroidal melanoma. We report through a case report, clinical signs, management and prognosis of acute angle glaucoma as initial manifestation of uveal melanoma.

Autofluorescence is a relatively new, noninvasive diagnostic tool recently introduced in the armamentarium of intraocular tumor diagnosis and characterization. This technique may reveal the effects of choroidal tumors on the overlying retinal pigment epithelium and may also provide specific information on intrinsic pigments that compose and characterize benign and malignant, congenital and acquired chorioretinal lesions. Lipofuscin, melanin, and melanolipofuscin strongly influence the different autofluorescence patterns of chorioretinal tumors, but other pigments may theoretically influence the autofluorescence pattern of these lesions. In this chapter we review the role of autofluorescence in the diagnosis of benign and malignant chorioretinal.

7 p., The human eye can be compromised by a variated spectrum of neoplasms and reactive processes. Here we present a rare case of a primary intraocular inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) dependent on the sclera and choroid in a 31-year-old female. The knowledge surrounding IMTs, previously included in the category of inflammatory pseudotumors, has undergone dynamic changes in the past two decades. Here we review the characteristics of these tumors in the human eye and in the surrounding structures, and we describe the recent advances that allow molecular characterization of the neoplastic nature of this entity.

Introduction. Uveal melanoma (UM) is an intraocular tumor that leads to metastatic disease in approximately 50% of afflicted patients. There is no efficacious treatment for metastatic disease in this cancer. Identification of markers that can offer prognostic and therapeutic value is a major focus in this field at present. KAI1 is a metastasis suppressor gene that has been reported to play a role in various human malignancies, although it has not previously been evaluated in UM.Purpose. To investigate the expression of KAI1 in UM and its potential value as a prognostic marker.Materials and Methods. 18 cases of human primary UM were collected and immunostained for KAI1 expression. A pathologist evaluated staining intensity and distribution semiquantitatively. Each case was categorized as group 1 (low staining) or group 2 (high staining).Results. In group 2, two of the 12 cases presented with metastasis. Conversely, in group 1, five out of 6 cases had metastasis. The mean follow-up of patients who did not develop metastasis was 81.81 months (median: 75 months) versus 42.14 months (median: 44 months) for patients with metastasis.Conclusions. KAI1 is a promising candidate marker that may offer prognostic value in UM; it may also represent a therapeutic target in metastatic disease.

Retinoblastoma is the most common primary intraocular tumor in children. Retinoblastoma can be hereditary (familial) or nonhereditary (nonfamilial). Nurses who have an understanding of the genetic patterns for retinoblastoma can participate in the counseling of these patients. A chart is provided as a tool for teaching patients about family patterns of retinoblastoma.

We review the genetics of retinoblastoma and the most recent molecular detection methods. Retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular tumor in children, occurs in either a heritable or non-heritable form. The heritable form, which is highly penetrant and predisposes individuals to a considerably greater second tumor risk, can be distinguished most definitively through the use of genetic testing. Genetic testing for individuals and families suspected of carrying the heritable mutations can help ensure that more comprehensive treatment plans and accurate genetic counseling for affected individuals and their families are provided.

Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most frequent malignant intraocular tumor in childhood. Six hundred and thirty-six cases with 831 RB-affected eyes were diagnosed and treated in our specialist center between 1963-1994. The diagnosis was made by histopathologic examination in 617 cases and clinically in 19 cases. Four hundred and forty-one (69.3%) cases were unilateral and 195 (30.7%) were bilateral. Two hundred and sixty-eight (42.1%) were females and 368 (57.9%) were males. The youngest patient was 20 days old and the oldest was 16 years old at the time of diagnosis (mean: 2.2 years). In thirty-four (5.3%) cases, a family history of RB was present. Ten of these cases were unilateral and 24 were bilateral. The most frequent presenting signs were leukocoria (394 cases, 61.9%), buphthalmos (92 cases, 14.5%), and strabismus (68 cases, 10.7%). The referring initial diagnoses were correct in 519 (81.6%) cases and false-negative in 117 (18.4%) cases. The most frequent initial false-negative diagnoses of the referring physicians were buphthalmos (43 cases, 6.8%), endophthalmitis (37 cases, 5.8%), and retinal detachment (12 cases, 1.9%). Apart from these 636 cases, there were 29 false-positive RB diagnoses during the same study period for which enucleation was performed. False-positive diagnoses included endophthalmitis (9 cases), retinal dysplasia (6 cases), retinal detachment (5 cases), vitreous hemorrhage (4 cases), Coats' disease (4 cases), and toxocariasis (one case). Ancillary testing for metastasis was carried out in all cases with newly diagnosed retinoblastoma. Five hundred and ninety-eight (72%) eyes had intraocular disease and 233 (28%) had extraocular spread. Of these 233 RBS, 58 had systemic disease. Fifty-two out of 58 tumors showing systemic involvement had either optic nerve or extrascleral extension at the histopathologic examination of enucleation material. The remaining six eyes had intraocular Class IV-V RB.

1543Background: Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular tumor in adult, but its etiology for the most part remains unclear. It has been suggested that the genetic susceptibility ...

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most frequent intraocular tumor in adults with an annual incidence of about 6/1.000.000. Despite successful treatment of the primary tumor in most cases, approximately 50% of patients die from metastases within 15 years after treatment. This proportion has remained constant during the last decades.

The ability to obtain the proper clinical diagnosis in cases of suspected intraocular tumors has greatly advanced during the past 50 years. The clinical characteristics of most intraocular tumors (size, shape, color, and texture) are detectable by skilled ophthalmoscopic examination and, with the use of adjunctive techniques (mainly ultrasonography), the proper diagnosis can be reached without invasive procedures. Notwithstanding, some intraocular tumors need to be biopsied to obtain a reliable diagnosis. In the cytogenetic era, intraocular tumor management is changing, and tumor-sampling procedures are becoming the main prognostic (and theoretically also diagnostic) tools for uveal melanoma. In spite of the widespread use of biopsies in general surgical practice, in ophthalmic oncology, indications and contraindications for biopsy continue to be under debate. The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate the role of uveal melanoma biopsy in current clinical practice.

Objetivo: Describir las características ecográficas en los tumores vasoproliferativos del fondo de ojo (TVPFO). Métodos: Se estudiaron retrospectivamente las historias clínicas correspondientes a 8 pacientes afectados de TVPFO. Se analizaron los datos correspondientes a la exploración oftalmológica completa y a la exploración ecográfica. Resultados: Se encontraron masas nodulares afectando a la retina o bien a la retina y la coroides. La superficie tumoral era regular en 5 casos e irregular en los 3 restantes. La media de las dimensiones fue (mm/DE): base mayor, 7,14/2,56; base menor, 6,74/2,48 y altura 2,38/1,26. La estructura interna fue siempre sólida e irregular y la reflectividad era media-alta en 6 casos. No se detectó ni ángulo kappa ni vascularidad interna en ningún caso. Conclusión: De acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos se propone que tanto el diagnóstico como el diagnóstico diferencial de los TVPFO deben ser llevados a cabo no solo con la oftalmoscopia sino también con la exploración ecográfica. Objective: The aim of this work is to describe the ultrasound features in vasoproliferative tumours of the ocular fundus (VPTOF). Methods: The medical records corresponding to eight patients were retrospectively studied. Clinical data from the complete ophthalmologic examination and ultrasonographic findings were analysed. Results: Nodular masses affecting either the retina or both the retina and the choroid were found. The surface contour of the tumour was regular in 5, and irregular in 3 cases. In terms of dimensions (mm/ SD), the average major base was 7.14/2.56; the minor base 6.74/2.48 and the height 2.38/1.26. Internal structure was always solid and irregular and reflectivity was mostly medium to high in 6 eyes. Angle kappa was not present in any case. No vascularity signs were detected. Conclusion: According to the results it is suggested that when a differential diagnosis of VPTOF is carried out, not only should ophthalmoscopic signs be studied, but an ultrasound examination should also be done.