Subretinal pigment dispersion following transpupillary thermotherapy for choroidal melanoma.
OBJECTIVE
To report the case of a patient who developed considerable subretinal pigment/debris dispersion following transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT). This type of tumour response is extremely rare with this relatively new therapeutic modality.


METHODS
A 50-year-old man with a left juxtapapillary choroidal melanoma measuring 8 x 6 x 4.3 mm was treated with 810 nm diode laser TTT administered in two sessions. Spot size was 3 mm and the power setting was 450 mW.


RESULTS
Four months after the first treatment session, a considerable amount of pigment/debris was seen to have dispersed in the subretinal space, accumulating mainly in the macular area. Over a 12-month follow-up, the tumour showed progressive shrinkage without any change in the amount or location of the shed pigment/debris. No new tumour formation, recurrence or systemic metastases were detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Subretinal pigment/debris dispersion is an unusual complication after TTT and requires close follow-up. There has been no short-term compromise on the life or visual acuity of this patient.
Ocular Oncology Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. hkiratli@hacettepe.edu.tr
Hayyam
H
Kiratli
Sevgül
S
Bilgiç
D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000473:pathology*; D011680:Pupil; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography