title: Ultrasound biomicroscopy for estimation of tumor thickness for conjunctival melanoma.
abstract: We assessed the feasibility of using high-frequency ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) in estimating thickness of conjunctival melanomas preoperatively. Three patients underwent UBM prior to excision of conjunctival melanoma between February 2003 and March 2006. Conjunctival tumor thickness was estimated via UBM in each case and compared with the estimated histopathologic tumor thickness (Breslow thickness). Patient 1 had an estimated thickness of 1.99 mm via UBM versus a Breslow thickness measurement of 1.5 mm based on the surgical specimen. Patient 2 had a UBM thickness measurement of 2.4 mm and a Breslow thickness of 2.23 mm based on the surgical specimen. In patient 3, both UBM thickness and Breslow thickness were 2.3 mm. The use of high-frequency UBM is feasible for the estimation of tumor thickness for conjunctival melanomas. UBM may serve as an additional diagnostic tool for estimating tumor thickness before surgical resection of conjunctival melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Section of Ophthalmology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Viet H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Prager
authors.forename: Hafeez
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Diwan
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Prieto
authors.forename: Bita
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Esmaeli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003452:Cryosurgery; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D033401:Microscopy, Acoustic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy