Value of positron emission tomography in the diagnosis of malignant ocular tumors.
OBJECTIVE
To address the question whether positron emission tomography (PET) can identify malignant ocular tumors.


METHODS
In patients with ocular tumors, PET was performed using the incorporation of the glucose analogue (18)F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose. The diagnosis of the ocular lesions was based on conventional diagnostic procedures including histologic examination.


RESULTS
Nineteen patients with a mean age of 62.8 +/- 14.2 years were included in this study. Nine patients with a mean age of 62.9 +/- 13.1 years displayed the presence of a malignant tumor including metastatic lesions (4), malignant melanomas (4) and squamous cell carcinoma (1). Additionally, 10 patients with a mean age of 62.8 +/- 15.9 years with benign lesions were studied. There was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.012) in tumor height and tumor volume, but not in tumor diameter between benign and malignant lesions. The smallest PET positive lesion measured 7 x 3 mm. PET was positive in 7 out of 9 malignant lesions and negative in all 10 benign lesions, i.e. there was no false-positive and two false-negative results. The two false-negative tumors represented malignant melanomas of the choroid. Additionally, results of the PET examination were independent of tumor size.


CONCLUSIONS
PET seems to be of limited value for the diagnosis of malignant melanoma of the choroid, i.e. a negative result does not exclude a malignant process.
Spraul
C W
CW
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ulm, Germany. christoph.spraul@medizin.uni-ulm.de
Lang
G E
GE
Lang
G K
GK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002924:Ciliary Body / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18