Uveal melanoma: correlation of histopathologic and radiologic findings by using thin-section MR imaging with a surface coil.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether the different signal intensities at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of melanoma are associated with a higher content of melanin.


METHODS
In a prospective study, MR imaging and ophthalmoscopic examination findings in 42 patients (19 women, 23 men; age range, 30-87 years) with uveal melanoma were compared with histopathologic examination findings obtained after enucleation. MR imaging was performed with 2-mm sections by using a 5-cm surface coil. T1- and T2-weighted images were obtained before and after contrast material administration.


RESULTS
In 33 (79%) of the patients, there was homogeneous tumor pigmentation, whereas in nine (21%) patients, there was inhomogeneous bipartite tumor pigmentation. Compared with the histopathologic data, the results of qualitative evaluation were accurate in 29 (58%) of 50 and in 26 (53%) of 49 tumorous areas on T1- and T2-weighted images, respectively. Quantitative evaluation yielded better results, especially at T1-weighted imaging; an 86% correlation was found. Because of methodological reasons, only the superficial pigmentation of inhomogeneous tumors could be evaluated with ophthalmoscopy.


CONCLUSIONS
Thin-section MR imaging of the eye enables an accurate prediction of melanomatous pigmentation with quantitative evaluation of plain T1-weighted images and is superior to ophthalmoscopy in cases of inhomogeneous pigmentation.
Lemke
A J
AJ
Universitätsklinikum Charité, Medizinische Fakultät, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Germany.
Hosten
N
N
Bornfeld
N
N
Bechrakis
N E
NE
Schüler
A
A
Richter
M
M
Stroszczynski
C
C
Felix
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015353:Eye Enucleation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008543:Melanins / Q000032:analysis; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D010858:Pigmentation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000175:diagnosis; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
D003287:Contrast Media; D008543:Melanins