Precision of ultrasonic estimates of choroidal melanoma regression.
BACKGROUND
Important prognostic information may be gained from knowledge of the volume and, over time, the change in volume of intraocular tumors such as choroidal melanomas.


METHODS
The precision and time consumption of three different ultrasonographic methods were evaluated. Seven choroidal melanomas were analysed after placement of a ruthenium plaque and again after tumor regression had occurred. Perpendicular ultrasound B-scans were printed and analysed by overlay grid counting or outline tracing of tumor structures to calculate the volume. These two methods, using only two perpendicular scans, were compared with a micro-computer-controlled ultrasonographic three-dimensional rotation scanning system, where each tumor was manually outlined in 20 revolving scan planes


RESULTS
The three-dimensional volume scanning method was the most precise, but also the most demanding in hardware and time consumption.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased precision and less observer-dependent estimation of shrinkage rate after radiotherapy is available at the cost of sophisticated equipment.
Rask
R
R
Department of Ophthalmology, Arhus University Hospital, Nørrebrogade 55, DK-8000 Arhus C, Denmark. kommrr@aau.dk
Jensen
P K
PK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011379:Prognosis; D012074:Remission Induction; D012429:Ruthenium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
D012429:Ruthenium Radioisotopes