Original Paper

The Use of Ultrasound Biomicroscopy in the Evaluation of Anterior Segment Tumors and Simulating Conditions
Kaan Gündüz, Banu M. Hoal, Güler Zileliolu, lhan Günalp

Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey

Address of Corresponding Author

Ophthalmologica 2007;221:305-312 (DOI: 10.1159/000104760)

  Key Words

• Iris, nevus, melanoma
• Ciliary body melanoma
• Medulloepithelioma
• Iris pigment epithelial cyst
• Conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma
• Intraocular invasion
• Extraocular extension
• Cavitation
• Ultrasound biomicroscopy
• Ultrasonography

  Abstract

Purpose: To report the ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) findings of anterior segment tumors and simulating conditions. Methods: Thirty-five patients underwent UBM. Of those, 16 had histopathologically or cytopathologically diagnosed tumors, and 19 had clinically diagnosed lesions. Results: The study material comprised 13 iris pigment epithelial (IPE) cysts, 7 ciliary body melanomas, 4 iris melanomas, 4 iris nevi, 3 intraocular invasions of conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma, 2 ring melanomas of the anterior chamber angle, 1 medulloepithelioma and 1 pars plana cyst. On UBM, all IPE cysts presented as cystic lesions with a thin cyst wall and no solid components. All ciliary body melanomas showed low to medium reflectivity, with cavitation in one case and extraocular extension in another. Iris melanomas presented as anterior (stromal) iris lesions with medium to high internal reflectivity. There was irregularity and convex bowing of the posterior iris plane in iris melanomas, a feature not seen in iris nevi. Intraocular invasion of conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma was evidenced as areas of medium to high reflectivity in the ciliary body and iris, loss of the acute angle shape and highly reflective spots in the anterior chamber. Conclusions: UBM was particularly useful in the diagnosis of IPE cysts, in the visualization of small ciliary body melanomas, in the differentiation of iris melanomas from iris nevi and in the demonstration of intraocular invasion from conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma.

Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Prof. Kaan Gündüz, MD
Mesa Koza Plaza 24/18, Küpe Sok
GOP 06700, Ankara (Turkey)
Tel. +90 532 633 7997, Fax +90 312 2291 812, E-Mail eyemd@ada.net.tr

  Article Information

Received: May 26, 2006
Accepted after revision: September 22, 2006
Number of Print Pages : 8
Number of Figures : 10, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 19