title: ThinPrep vitreous-based diagnosis of choroidal malignant melanoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report an alternative method for the diagnosis of atypical choroidal malignant melanoma-ThinPrep sampling of the vitreous cavity through 25-gauge vitrectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A 79-year-old gentleman presented with a progressive decline in visual acuity in his left eye. A clinical diagnosis of large choroidal malignant melanoma was made. Given the history of trauma and the possibility of enucleation, the patient wished to have histopathological confirmation. The patient underwent 25-gauge vitrectomy. However, he developed a choroidal hemorrhage during the procedure and the surgeon elected not to perform transretinal biopsy. Instead a sample of the vitreous was evaluated by ThinPrep analysis, and a diagnosis of choroidal malignant melanoma was made.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cytological evaluation of vitreous substance with ThinPrep may provide an alterative method for a diagnosis in select cases in which FNA is not possible or desirable. This technique is straightforward and minimizes the risk of retinal detachment or hemorrhage.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.
authors: Annie
authors: A
authors: Chan
authors: Peter R
authors: PR
authors: Egbert
authors: Darius M
authors: DM
authors: Moshfeghi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D006652:Histological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014821:Vitrectomy; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000473:pathology