OBJECTIVE: To describe an intraocular biopsy technique that allows accurate histopathologic diagnosis in cases of clinically unclassifiable uveal tumors. DESIGN: Retrospective noncomparative consecutive interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS/ METHODS: Intraocular biopsies were performed by a vitreous cutter either by a two-port clear cornea approach in 11 patients with unclassifiable iris tumors or by a three-port pars plana vitrectomy in 23 patients with unclassifiable choroidal tumors. Specimens were formalin fixed and paraffin processed. Hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiff stains were performed in all cases, with additional immunohistochemical stains using the alkaline phosphatase, antialkaline phosphatase method in cases that could not be conventionally classified. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical observation and histopathologic examination of intraocular biopsies. RESULTS: In 97% of cases (n = 33) a definite diagnosis could be established by the biopsy specimen. A melanoma could be diagnosed in 73% of cases (n = 8) of iris tumors and in 57% of cases (n = 13) of posterior intraocular tumors. Other diagnoses included nevus, metastasis, vasoproliferative tumor, hemorrhage, gliosis, and scleritis. Complications were encountered in four cases: a vitreous hemorrhage occurred twice, an inconclusive biopsy result, and an intraocular tumor spread occurred once, respectively. No increased tumor-related mortality was observed after a mean follow-up of 44 months. CONCLUSIONS: Intraocular biopsy by a vitreous cutter allows the histopathologic examination of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor tissue. This increases the diagnostic accuracy, avoiding the risk of extraocular tumor spread seen with transscleral biopsy techniques.
OBJECTIVE: To describe an intraocular biopsy technique that allows accurate histopathologic diagnosis in cases of clinically unclassifiable uveal tumors. DESIGN: Retrospective noncomparative consecutive interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS/ METHODS: Intraocular biopsies were performed by a vitreous cutter either by a two-port clear cornea approach in 11 patients with unclassifiable iris tumors or by a three-port pars plana vitrectomy in 23 patients with unclassifiable choroidal tumors. Specimens were formalin fixed and paraffin processed. Hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiff stains were performed in all cases, with additional immunohistochemical stains using the alkaline phosphatase, antialkaline phosphatase method in cases that could not be conventionally classified. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical observation and histopathologic examination of intraocular biopsies. RESULTS: In 97% of cases (n = 33) a definite diagnosis could be established by the biopsy specimen. A melanoma could be diagnosed in 73% of cases (n = 8) of iris tumors and in 57% of cases (n = 13) of posterior intraocular tumors. Other diagnoses included nevus, metastasis, vasoproliferative tumor, hemorrhage, gliosis, and scleritis. Complications were encountered in four cases: a vitreous hemorrhage occurred twice, an inconclusive biopsy result, and an intraocular tumor spread occurred once, respectively. No increased tumor-related mortality was observed after a mean follow-up of 44 months. CONCLUSIONS: Intraocular biopsy by a vitreous cutter allows the histopathologic examination of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor tissue. This increases the diagnostic accuracy, avoiding the risk of extraocular tumor spread seen with transscleral biopsy techniques.
Authors: Miriam N Richter; Nikolaos E Bechrakis; G Stoltenburg-Didinger; Michael H Foerster Journal: Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol Date: 2003-11-01 Impact factor: 3.117
Authors: Kristoph Jahnke; Nikolaos E Bechrakis; Sarah E Coupland; Alexander Schmittel; Michael H Foerster; Lars Fischer; Eckhard Thiel; Agnieszka Korfel Journal: Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol Date: 2004-09 Impact factor: 3.117