A retrospective review of conjunctival melanoma: Presentation, treatment and evolution. / Revisión retrospectiva del melanoma conjuntival: presentación, tratamiento y evolución.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study is to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients diagnosed and treated for conjunctival melanoma in the Ocular Oncology Unit of the University Hospital Clinic of Valladolid. METHODS: A retrospective observational case series study was conducted on patients diagnosed with conjunctival melanoma in the Ocular Oncology Unit of University Hospital Clinic of Valladolid, from January 1992 to December 2017. Demographic information and tumour features were recorded in a Microsoft Access database. RESULTS: Among a total of 462 consecutive patients, the tumour was classified as melanocytic in 252 cases (54.5%), with 27 patients having the pathological diagnosis of conjunctival melanoma. The mean age at diagnosis was 59.2years (16-88), and there were 41% males and 59% females, with a mean follow-up of 6.1±6.8years. As regards the origin of conjunctival melanoma, 16 cases (59%) arose from primary acquired melanosis, 26% from nevus, and 15% developed de novo. The treatment performed was incisional or excisional biopsy in all patients, local adjuvant chemotherapy in 15 cases (56%) and brachytherapy in 5 patients (18%). The median survival was 18years and the probability of survival at 5 and 10years was 89% and 69%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Conjunctival melanoma is a rare disease, usually undervalued by the patient as well as being underdiagnosed, leading to insufficient and delayed treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent recurrences and systemic extension, as well as to preserve vision and life.

Intraocular metastasis: comparison of clinical presentation with a known and unknown primary tumour. / Metástasis intraoculares: comparación entre las formas de presentación clínica con tumor primario conocido y desconocido.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study is to review the frequency of intraocular metastases as first presentation of systemic disease, and to identify clinical and tumour characteristics. METHODS: Retrospective study of consecutive cases diagnosed of intraocular metástasis at a referral intraocular tumours unit between 1993 and 2014. General, epidemiological and ophthalmological characteristics were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients, with a mean age 62.7 years (31-89) were diagnosed with intraocular metástasis between 1993 and 2014. Both eyes were affected in 4 cases. Location was choroid in 20 cases. The intraocular tumour was the first manifestation of the systemic disease in 13 patients (61.9%). Primary tumour was breast in 47.6% and lung in 23.8%. Diagnosis of the primary tumour was performed by systemic studies, and only 1 patient required intraocular biopsy. Regarding the treatment, the majority of cases were controlled with systemic therapy, with 4 cases requiring additional external beam radiotherapy, and only one enucleation. No clinical differences were found between the cases with known and unknown systemic neoplasia, except in exudative retinal detachment, which was more frequent in the second group. CONCLUSIONS: Although intraocular metastases are the most frequent intraocular tumour, they are not a frequent cause of consultation. In more than half of the cases it is the first presentation of unknown systemic neoplasia as a solitary non-pigmented intraocular mass. Early diagnosis is crucial to establish the appropriate treatment, preserve visual function, and improve the prognosis of the patient.

Primary conjunctival follicular lymphoma mimicking chronic conjunctivitis.

CLINICAL CASE: The case is presented of a 43 year-old male patient with chronic follicular conjunctivitis, negative bacterial serology, and refractory to local treatment. The incisional biopsy performed showed to be consistent with reactive lymphoid hyperplasia. A year later, a new incisional biopsy showed follicular lymphoma, with no systemic involvement, and he was treated with local radiotherapy. DISCUSSION: When a chronic follicular conjunctivitis is refractory to treatment, it is essential to perform an incisional biopsy to establish the histopathological diagnosis that can range from chronic inflammation, reactive lymphoid hyperplasia to lymphoma. Follicular lymphoma is rare among conjunctival lymphomas, and the staging is indispensable for the correct therapeutic approach.

Melanoma uveal: características clínicas, tratamiento y supervivencia en una serie de 500 pacientes / Uveal melanoma: Clinical characteristics, treatment and survival in a series of 500 patients

Objetivo: Analizar las características clínicas, tratamiento y supervivencia de los pacientes diagnosticados de melanoma uveal en una unidad de referencia de tumores intraoculares en un periodo de 20 años. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo de 500 pacientes entre enero de 1992 y diciembre de 2011. Se recogieron las características clínicas del tumor y el tratamiento recibido en una base de datos en Microsoft@ Access@. Las variables numéricas se analizaron con medias de frecuencia y desviación estándar, y las cualitativas con tablas de media de frecuencia. Resultados: La edad media de la muestra fue de 62,19 años, siendo un 51,2% mujeres. Se diagnosticaron por la presencia de síntomas visuales el 64,2% de los casos. Los tumores eran pequeños en el 31,12% de los casos y grandes en el 23,09% según criterios del COMS. El color de iris fue el verde-avellana en el 44,2% de los ojos. El tratamiento inicial fue la braquiterapia epiescleral en el 42,4%. La mortalidad global fue del 17 y 31,3% y la específica por melanoma del 11,6 y 14,8%, a los 5 y 10 años, respectivamente. Conclusiones: En la serie estudiada los melanomas son más frecuentes en mujeres y en iris más oscuros comparados con estudios previos. Los tumores detectados son sintomáticos y en estadios poco avanzados, lo que permite tratamientos conservadores, siendo la braquiterapia el más importante. Se observa una disminución de la mortalidad específica por melanoma comparada con otras series publicadas. Sin embargo, son necesarios más estudios sobre los factores que influyen en la supervivencia (AU)

Objective: To analyse the clinical features, treatment and survival of uveal melanoma patients diagnosed in a referral Intraocular Tumours Unit over a twenty-year period. Methodology: A prospective study was performed including five hundred patients, diagnosed between January 1992 and December 2011. Clinical tumour characteristics and treatment were collected in a database in Microsoft@ Access@. The numeric variables were expressed as means of frequency and standard deviation, and the quantitative variables using frequency tables. Results: The mean age of the sample was 62.19 years, with 51.2% females, and 64.2% presented with symptoms. The tumours were small in 31.12% of cases, and large in 23.09%, according to COMS criteria. Hazel green was the iris colour in 42.2% of the cases. The initial treatment was episcleral brachytherapy in 42.4% of the total. The overall mortality ratewas 17% and 31.3%, and melanoma-related mortality rate was 11.6% and 14.8%, at 5 and10 years, respectively. Conclusions: In the serie studied melanomas were more frequent in women, and a higher proportion of darker irides were observed than in other previous studies. Mostof the tumours were diagnosed when they became symptomatic and in the early or medium stages, allowing conservative therapies to be used, with brachytherapy being the predominant treatment. The melanoma-related mortality appeared to be lower than previously data published. However, further studies are required on the factors influencing survival (AU)

[Uveal melanoma: clinical characteristics, treatment and survival in a series of 500 patients]. / Melanoma uveal: características clínicas, tratamiento y supervivencia en una serie de 500 pacientes.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the clinical features, treatment and survival of uveal melanoma patients diagnosed in a referral Intraocular Tumours Unit over a twenty-year period. METHODOLOGY: A prospective study was performed including five hundred patients, diagnosed between January 1992 and December 2011. Clinical tumour characteristics and treatment were collected in a database in Microsoft@ Access@. The numeric variables were expressed as means of frequency and standard deviation, and the quantitative variables using frequency tables. RESULTS: The mean age of the sample was 62.19 years, with 51.2% females, and 64.2% presented with symptoms. The tumours were small in 31.12% of cases, and large in 23.09%, according to COMS criteria. Hazel green was the iris colour in 42.2% of the cases. The initial treatment was episcleral brachytherapy in 42.4% of the total. The overall mortality rate was 17% and 31.3%, and melanoma-related mortality rate was 11.6% and 14.8%, at 5 and 10 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the serie studied melanomas were more frequent in women, and a higher proportion of darker irides were observed than in other previous studies. Most of the tumours were diagnosed when they became symptomatic and in the early or medium stages, allowing conservative therapies to be used, with brachytherapy being the predominant treatment. The melanoma-related mortality appeared to be lower than previously data published. However, further studies are required on the factors influencing survival.

Técnica combinada de vitrectomía con biopsia y citología en el diagnóstico de tumor intraocular / Combined choroidal biopsy and cytology for diagnosis of intraocular tumour

Caso clínico: Ninguna técnica de biopsia intraocular es inocua y todas tienen posibilidad de falsos negativos por la dificultad para obtener una muestra suficiente. Paciente con sospecha de melanoma tras biopsia negativa con vitrectomía 25 G. Se realiza biopsia coriorretiniana modificada en la que además de extraerse un fragmento mediante cirugía bimanual, se obtiene material de la lesión con vitreotomo para realizar citología, confirmando el diagnóstico de sospecha de melanoma de coroides. Discusión: La asociación de una citología obtenida con vitreotomo de una lesión coroidea asociada a la escisión de un fragmento de la lesión puede mejorar la eficacia de la biopsia intraocular (AU)

Clinical case: No intraocular biopsy technique is free of risk and all have the possibility of giving false negatives due to the difficulty in obtaining a sufficient sample. A modified chorioretinal biopsy was performed on a patient with suspected choroidal melanoma after negative biopsy with 25G vitrectomy. In addition to removing a solid fragment of tumor material using bimanual surgery, material from the lesion was obtained with the vitreotome to perform cytology, which confirmed the diagnosis of melanoma. Discussion: Cytology obtained through the vitreotome in association with removing a solid sample of the choroidal lesion may improve the efficiency of intraocular biopsy (AU)

[Combined choroidal biopsy and cytology for diagnosis of intraocular tumour]. / Técnica combinada de vitrectomía con biopsia y citología en el diagnóstico de tumor intraocular.

CLINICAL CASE: No intraocular biopsy technique is free of risk and all have the possibility of giving false negatives due to the difficulty in obtaining a sufficient sample. A modified chorioretinal biopsy was performed on a patient with suspected choroidal melanoma after negative biopsy with 25G vitrectomy. In addition to removing a solid fragment of tumor material using bimanual surgery, material from the lesion was obtained with the vitreotome to perform cytology, which confirmed the diagnosis of melanoma. DISCUSSION: Cytology obtained through the vitreotome in association with removing a solid sample of the choroidal lesion may improve the efficiency of intraocular biopsy.

Episcleral brachytherapy for uveal melanoma: analysis of 136 cases

PURPOSE: To assess the results of I-125 episcleral brachytherapy (EB) in uveal melanoma: tumour control, visual acuity (VA), eye preservation and survival. PATIENTS: Prospective and consecutive study of patients with a diagnosis of uveal melanoma at the Ocular Oncology Unit in the Valladolid University Teaching Hospital treated with EB between September 1997 and June 2008. Ocular examination and extraocular and systemic extension data were registered in a database at the time of the diagnosis and during the follow-up. RESULTS: Among a total of 310 patients diagnosed between September 1997 and June 2008, 136 were treated with EB (mean age, 58.3). Mean follow-up was 55.3 months. As for tumour type, 66.9% were nodular and 39% mushroom shaped. With respect to size, 80.9% were medium, 7.4% small and 11.8% large. After 4.6 years of follow-up, tumours were controlled in 97.1%, with a 55.1% reduction in mean height; only 2.9% of patients showed recurrence. VA was maintained in 16.2% of patients and 17.6% showed an increase; 33% had retinopathy and 14.6% optic neuropathy. Only 5.1% of patients underwent enucleation due to complications and there has been 1 melanoma-related death to date. CONCLUSIONS: I-125 EB is effective in tumour control, allowing preservation of the eye and useful visual function for the majority of patients (AU)

Prevalence of ocular and oculodermal melanocytosis in Spanish population with uveal melanoma.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ocular and oculodermal melanocytosis (ODM) among patients with uveal melanoma (UM) in a Spanish population. METHODS: Retrospective review of the medical records of patients with ODM among patients with UM. RESULTS: Ten (11 eyes) of 400 patients (2.7%) with UM associated had ODM. The mean age at diagnosis of UM among patients with ODM was 62 years. One patient had bilateral tumours. UM was diagnosed during a routine-examination in two cases. All tumours were medium (7/11) or large (4/11) in size, with a mean maximum base of 13 mm and height of 7 mm. No patient had extraocular extension or metastatic disease at diagnosis. Enucleation was done in five cases and I-125-brachytherapy in six. The mean follow-up was 43 months. One patient died because of metastasis 2 years after enucleation; one patient is currently on treatment of systemic metastasis 11 years after. CONCLUSIONS: ODM is more frequent in spanish population with UM than in American population. Despite the risk of UM in ODM, it is often diagnosed late when a conservative treatment is not indicated.

High-dose iodine-125 episcleral brachytherapy for circumscribed choroidal haemangioma.

AIMS: To evaluate episcleral plaque radiotherapy with high-dose (125)I for the treatment of circumscribed choroidal haemangioma (CCH). METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of patients treated for CCH between 1995 and 2007. Brachytherapy was performed with ROPES plaques loaded with (125)I seeds with a target apex dose of 48 Gy. Main outcome measures were regression of CCH, resolution of retinal detachment, visual acuity changes and frequency of radiation-related complications. RESULTS: Eight patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean tumour base was 11.3 (range 7.8-14.3) mm and mean height was 4.4 (range 2.8-6.5) mm. Six patients had an associated retinal detachment and seven macular exudates or oedema. Mean preoperative visual acuity ranged from no light perception to 0.7. Three patients had received prior argon laser treatment. All patients received one radiation treatment, since no new symptoms due to CCH developed during follow-up (mean 83 (range 23-123) months). Tumour regression was found in all cases. Three patients presented radiation retinopathy and one subretinal fibrosis. Visual acuity remained stable in six patients and decreased two or more lines in two patients. CONCLUSIONS: Episcleral brachytherapy led to tumour regression and resolution of non-rhegmatogenous secondary retinal detachments in this case series that included large CCH. Visual stabilisation was achieved in most cases. Given the acceptable rate of side effects detected, (125)I episcleral brachytherapy should be considered in large tumours, in tumours with a subfoveal location or extensive subretinal fluid, and in tumours that have failed to respond to other treatments.

[Ocular retention in patients with uveal melanoma managed by a multimodality approach]. / Estudio de la conservación del globo ocular con un abordaje multiterapéutico en el melanoma uveal.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze ocular survival in eyes with uveal melanoma treated with conservative therapies, in a centre that applies all treatment modalities. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with uveal melanoma and treated between September 1990 and April 2007 were included in an historical cohorts study. RESULTS: 273 patients were included. 193 were treated with conservative treatments (70.69%) and 80 were enucleated as primary treatment. 14 patients were enucleated after conservative treatment (7.2%). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed an 88% survival probability of the eye in the first 5 years after conservative treatment and 83% at 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative treatments for uveal melanoma, especially brachitherapy, are safe and effective in relation to tumor control and rate of secondary effects.

Estudio de la conservación del globo ocular con un abordaje multiterapéutico en el melanoma uveal / Ocular retention in patients with uveal melanoma managed by a multimodality approach

Objetivo: Analizar la supervivencia de los globosoculares afectados de melanoma uveal sometidos atratamiento conservador, en un centro que aplicatodas las modalidades de tratamiento.Métodos: Se han incluido en el estudio los pacientesdiagnosticados de melanoma de úvea tratadosentre septiembre de 1990 y abril de 2007 en la unidadde Oncología Ocular del Hospital Clínico Universitariode Valladolid realizándose un estudio decohortes histórico.Resultados: De los 273 pacientes incluidos en elestudio, se trataron 193 pacientes con terapias conservadoras(70,69%), mientras que se enuclearon deforma primaria 80 (29,30%). Se enuclearon de formasecundaria 14 de los sometidos a tratamientoconservador (7,2%) El análisis de supervivencia deKaplan-Meier reveló que tras la aplicación de untratamiento conservador, la probabilidad de conservacióndel globo ocular a los 5 años es del 88% y alos 10 años es del 83%.Conclusiones: El presente estudio pone de manifiestola seguridad de los tratamientos conservadores en el melanoma uveal, especialmente de la braquiterapiaepiescleral, en cuanto a control local dela enfermedad y a tasa de efectos secundarios(AU)

Objective: to analyze ocular survival in eyes withuveal melanoma treated with conservative therapies,in a centre that applies all treatment modalities.Methods: Patients diagnosed with uveal melanomaand treated between September 1990 and April2007 were included in an historical cohorts study.Results: 273 patients were included. 193 were treatedwith conservative treatments (70.69%) and 80were enucleated as primary treatment. 14 patientswere enucleated after conservative treatment(7.2%). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed an88% survival probability of the eye in the first 5years after conservative treatment and 83% at 10years.Conclusions: Conservative treatments for uvealmelanoma, especially brachitherapy, are safe andeffective in relation to tumor control and rate ofsecondary effects(AU)

[Conjunctival tumors]. / Tumores de la conjuntiva.

Conjunctival tumors are one of the most frequent of the eye and adnexa. They comprise a large variety of conditions, from benign lesions such as nevus or papilloma, to malignant lesions such as epidermoid carcinoma or melanoma which may threaten visual function and the life of the patient. They can arise from any cellular component, but the most frequent are of epithelial and melanocytic origin. Early diagnosis is essential for preventing ocular and systemic spread and to preserve visual function. In this paper we review the clinical characteristics of the most frequent conjunctival tumors, and we discuss tumor management.

Uveal vs. cutaneous melanoma. Origins and causes of the differences

Melanoma is a malignant tumour derived from melanocytes (dendritic cells originated from the neural crest and capable to produce melanin synthesis) that could be established on the skin or less frequently on the uvea. The cellular origin from both kind of melanoma seems to be the same but the melanocytes migrates to the epithelia for cutaneous melanoma, while for uveal melanoma, they migrate to mesodermic tissues. Despite the common origin, both melanomas show extreme differences in their metastatic potential, clinical response to treatments, immune response and genetic alterations. We will describe some of those differences in this review (AU)

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[Ocular hypertension as the principal indicator of onset of uveal melanoma]. / Hipertensión ocular como principal forma de presentación del melanoma uveal.

PURPOSE: To present a series of patients with uveal melanoma masquerading as ocular hypertension. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with uveal melanoma were reviewed, selecting those cases with initial presentation as secondary unilateral glaucoma. Clinical and histopathological information useful for prognosis was examined, such as anterior border localization, size and shape of the tumor, associated ocular pathology, cell type and degree of extraocular extension. RESULTS: Seven patients out of a total of 160 diagnosed with melanoma presented with ocular hypertension (4.3% of the total). Six tumors were large, with only one of them being middle-size. All cases had an associated asymmetric cataract on the affected side. Four cases had neovascular glaucoma, two pseudo-phacolytic glaucoma and the remaining case had invasion of the anterior chamber angle. All cases were unresponsive to medical treatment for glaucoma, due to the unsuspected tumor they harbored. Visual acuity was lower than 0.1 in the affected eye in all patients. Only one case had extraocular extension. A histopathologic examination performed in six cases showed that 3 tumors had epithelioid cellularity and also 3 had varying degrees of extrascleral extension. CONCLUSIONS: In patients presenting with the association of unilateral glaucoma and asymmetric cataract, it is crucial to perform imaging studies, such as ultrasound, in order to rule out the presence of an intraocular tumor, and to achieve an early diagnosis, improving the patient's prognosis and the morbidity of treatments.

Hipertensión ocular como principal forma de presentación del melanoma uveal / Ocular hypertension as the principal indicator of onset of uveal melanoma

Objetivo: Presentar una serie de casos de pacientes con melanoma uveal cuya forma de presentación fue la hipertensión ocular (HTO).Métodos: Se revisaron los pacientes con diagnóstico de melanoma uveal seleccionando los casos cuya forma inicial de presentación del tumor fuera un glaucoma unilateral secundario. Se examinaron los datos clínicos e histopatológicos de valor pronóstico como localización del borde anterior, tamaño y forma del tumor, patología ocular acompañante, tipo celular, y grado de extensión extraocular.Resultados: Siete pacientes de un total de 160 diagnosticados de melanoma se presentaron con hipertensión ocular (4,3% del total). Seis fueron melanomas uveales grandes y el restante de tamaño mediano. Todos mostraron una catarata asimétrica en el lado afecto. Cuatro se presentaron con glaucoma neovascular, dos como pseudoglaucoma facolítico y uno con invasión del ángulo de cámara anterior. Todos se encontraban bajo tratamiento médico de glaucoma sin buena respuesta, por no sospecharse hasta ese momento el tumor intraocular. La mejor AV corregida en el ojo afecto fue menor de 0,1 en todos los pacientes. Sólo uno de los casos presentaba extensión extraocular. La histopatología efectuada en seis de los casos mostró 3 tumores de celularidad epitelioide y también 3 con diferentes grados extensión extraescleral.Conclusión: En los pacientes que presenten el cuadro de glaucoma unilateral y catarata asimétrica, es fundamental la realización de técnicas de imagen, como la ecografía, que permitan descartar la presencia de un tumor intraocular, y para realizar el diagnóstico en estadios precoces, mejorando el pronóstico del paciente y la morbilidad de los tratamientos

Purpose: To present a series of patients with uveal melanoma masquerading as ocular hypertension.Methods: Patients diagnosed with uveal melanoma were reviewed, selecting those cases with initial presentation as secondary unilateral glaucoma. Clinical and hystopathological information useful for prognosis was examined, such as anterior border localization, size and shape of the tumor, associated ocular pathology, cell type and degree of extraocular extension.Results: Seven patients out of a total of 160 diagnosed with melanoma presented with ocular hypertension (4.3% of the total). Six tumors were large, with only one of them being middle-size. All cases had an associated asymmetric cataract on the affected side. Four cases had neovascular glaucoma, two pseudo-phacolytic glaucoma and the remaining case had invasion of the anterior chamber angle. All cases were unresponsive to medical treatment for glaucoma, due to the unsuspected tumor they harbored. Visual acuity was lower than 0.1 in the affected eye in all patients. Only one case had extraocular extension. A hystopathologic examination performed in six cases showed that 3 tumors had epithelioid cellularity and also 3 had varying degrees of extrascleral extension.Conclusions: In patients presenting with the association of unilateral glaucoma and asymmetric cataract, it is crucial to perform imaging studies, such as ultrasound, in order to rule out the presence of an intraocular tumor, and to achieve an early diagnosis, improving the patient’s prognosis and the morbidity of treatments

[Ocular presentation in Wegener granulomatosis]. / Presentación ocular de la granulomatosis de Wegener.

CASE REPORT: A 71 year-old female presented with bilateral conjunctivitis, scleritis and peripheral ulcerative keratitis. Ancillary tests showed presence of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, with diffuse granular cytoplasmic immunofluorescence staining (ANCAc). Conjunctival biopsy showed necrotizing vasculitis in small vessels. Diagnosis of Wegener Granulomatosis (WG) was established and upper respiratory affection detected. Treatment with megadoses of cyclophosphamide and corticoids was initiated and remission of the disease was obtained. DISCUSSION: WG is a potentially lethal systemic vasculitis in which ocular involvement may be the first clinical presentation. Scleritis and peripheral ulcerative keratitis indicate systemic involvement, highlighting the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Presentación ocular de la granulomatosis de Wegener / Ocular presentation in Wegener granulomatosis

Caso Clínico: Mujer de 71 años presenta esclero-querato-conjuntivitis bilateral, con adelgazamiento corneal periférico. Se realizan estudios complementarios, donde se detectan anticuerpos anti-neutrófilos circulantes, patrón de fluorescencia citoplasmático (ANCAc). Se realiza biopsia de conjuntiva donde se observa vasculitis necrotizante en vasos de pequeño calibre. Se establece diagnóstico de GW. Se detecta afectación de vías respiratorias altas. Se realiza tratamiento con megadosis de corticoides y ciclofosfamida. Se obtiene remisión de la enfermedad. Discusión: La GW es una vasculitis potencialmente letal, que puede debutar con afectación ocular. La esclero-queratitis periférica expresa actividad de la enfermedad, remarcando la importancia del diagnóstico y tratamiento precoces (AU)

The need for continuous immunosuppression with cyclosporin A to maintain an experimental model of uveal melanoma.

We investigated the need for continuous immunosuppression to maintain experimental tumours derived from human uveal melanoma cells implanted in the choroid of pigmented rabbits. Two groups of pigmented rabbits immunosuppressed with cyclosporin A (CsA) were implanted with human uveal melanoma cells in the suprachoroidal space. After 5 weeks, CsA was discontinued in group 2. Animals were treated with prophylactic antibiotics and examined weekly for tumour growth, weight and secondary effects; blood urea nitrogen levels were measured every two weeks. Autopsies and histopathological studies were performed after death or euthanasia at the end of week 12. The difference between the groups in the development of ophthalmoscopic tumours was not statistically significant 5 weeks after implantation. Tumours in group 1 grew progressively throughout the experiment, whereas group 2 tumours showed marked regression 3-4 weeks after discontinuing CsA. Tumours in group 1 were significantly larger and had greater mitotic activity and showed more ciliary body, optic nerve and extrascleral invasion than tumours in group 2, which showed massive fibrosis, minimal mitotic activity and marked inflammatory cell infiltration. Continuous immunosuppression with CsA seems to be necessary to maintain tumour growth in this experimental model of uveal melanoma.

[Ghost cell detection in vitreous cytology: clinico-pathological correlation]. / Detección de células fantasma en citologías vítreas: correlación clínico-patológica.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of detection of ghost cells (GCs) in vitreous hemorrhages (VHs) and correlate it with the development of ghost cell glaucoma. To compare our results with those previously reported. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of clinical records and vitreous cytology reports (cytospin and direct paraffin embedding) from patients undergoing vitrectomy for VH at Instituto Universitario de Oftalmobiología Aplicada and University Hospital, Valladolid, for the last 2 years. RESULTS: 76 VHs have been analysed; 45 corresponded to proliferative diabetic retinopathy and the remainder to several pathologies. GCs have been detected in 18 cases (25%) (4 out of 76 specimens were excluded): 14 were phakic and 4 pseudophakic. Most of 76 VHs lasted more than 2 months. No case of ghost cell glaucoma was detected, neither previously nor after vitrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of detection of GCs in vitreous cytology may vary according to the cytologic technique. In contrast with the information previously reported, ghost cell glaucoma is an unfrequent disease, particularly after vitrectomy, probably because of a better removal of hemorrhagic debris from the vitreous cavity nowadays. Nevertheless, this diagnosis should not be overlooked.