Massive lipid exudation and retinal detachment after combined brachytherapy and transpupillary thermotherapy in choroidal melanoma.

CASE REPORT: A 59 year-old male with choroidal melanoma in the left eye who underwent plaque brachytherapy (iodine 125). One week after surgery, massive exudation with retinal detachment and lipid exudation was observed. Evolution was assessed with funduscopy and ultrasound every month. Nine months after surgery transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) was performed over the fluid-free irradiated residual tumour. Three months after this procedure, new retinal breaks appeared in the treated area with vitreous seeding that required enucleation. DISCUSSION: Combined treatment with plaque brachytherapy and TTT may associate severe complications that may require enucleation of the involved eye.