Persistent intraschisis hemorrhage simulating choroidal melanoma.
BACKGROUND
Intraschisis hemorrhage of dark green color without accompanying vitreous hemorrhage is a rare complication of degenerative retinoschisis-detachment.


METHODS
A 37-year-old male patient with unilateral intraschisis hemorrhage closely mimicking a choroidal melanoma is described.


METHODS
Ultrasonography and intravenous fluorescein angiography suggested intraschisis hemorrhage. T(1)-weighted magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a hyperintense lesion compared to the vitreous that did not enhance with contrast agent. Managed by observation, the color of the lesion started to change at the 6th month of follow-up. The hemorrhagic lesion regressed to half size in 40 months following the diagnosis, and disappeared in 62 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Very rarely may an intraschisis hemorrhage secondary to degenerative retinoschisis-detachment simulate a choroidal melanoma. In our patient, careful interpretation of the conventional methods was adequate for the differential diagnosis. The unusual feature of this patient was that the hemorrhage resolved in 5 years, much slower than expected.
Kiratli
Hayyam
H
Ocular Oncology Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Hacettepe University of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
D000328:Adult; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004596:Electroretinography; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology