Retinal vascular alterations associated with dome-shaped and mushroom-shaped choroidal melanomas.
OBJECTIVE
Retinal vascular abnormalities are associated with choroidal melanoma. Although tumor ischemia, resulting in soluble angiogenic factor production, is a proposed etiology of these abnormalities, other sources of ischemia may also contribute. Mushroom-shaped choroidal melanomas have increased loss of the overlying choriocapillaris and increased subretinal fluid when compared to dome-shaped tumors; factors that may result in outer retinal ischemia, angiogenic factor production and resultant retinal vascular abnormalities. The differing amounts of retinal vascular abnormalities overlying dome-shaped compared to mushroom-shaped melanomas were determined to evaluate this hypothesis.


METHODS
Retinal vascular abnormalities observed on fluorescein angiograms of eyes with choroidal melanoma were compared to the tumor configuration and presence of subretinal fluid.


RESULTS
23 eyes of 22 patients were included in the study. Retinal vascular abnormalities observed included dilated capillaries, telangiectatic capillaries, capillary nonperfusion, microaneurysms, neovascularization, lipid exudation and late staining of dye within the retina. Retinal vascular abnormalities were present in 4 of 14 eyes with dome-shaped tumors (29%) and in 8 of 9 eyes with mushroom-shaped tumors (89%). (Fisher's Exact Test, p = 0.009). Retinal vascular abnormalities were present in 2 of 10 eyes without subretinal fluid (20%) and in 10 of 13 eyes with subretinal fluid (77%). (Fisher's Exact Test, p = 0.012).


CONCLUSIONS
Retinal vascular abnormalities are associated with mushroom-shaped choroidal melanomas more commonly than dome-shaped tumors. Outer retinal ischemia may result from choriocapillaris loss or the presence of subretinal fluid, contributing to soluble angiogenic factor production and resultant retinal vascular abnormalities in these eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
Retinal vascular abnormalities are associated with mushroom-shaped choroidal melanomas more commonly than dome-shaped tumors. These retinal vascular abnormalities may be related to an increase in outer retinal ischemia associated with mushroom-shaped tumors.
Hainsworth
D P
DP
Mason Eye Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA. hainsworthd@health.missouri.edu
Todd
K C
KC
Ranson
N T
NT
Gigantelli
J W
JW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies