BACKGROUND: Thermometry and -graphy prove asymmetries of the circulation. Contact-free thermometry of the cornea is applied to find out whether this method can contribute to differential diagnosis of ocular melanomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Under standardized conditions the temperature of the cornea was measured in 30 patients with malignant melanoma of the choroid and the conjunctiva and 35 healthy subjects. The instruments were a handpyrometer (HPM, Messgerätewerk, Magdeburg) and the thermovision camera of AGA Infrared System, Sweden, with dynamic recording in colour. RESULTS: In healthy subjects there are no significant asymmetries in temperature under standardized conditions. The temperature of the cornea is elevated in both malignant melanomas of the choroid and the conjunctiva. CONCLUSIONS: Thermometry and -graphy of the cornea can contribute to the differentiation of malignant ocular melanomas from other ophthalmological diseases. They are also suited in long term observation of the course of the melanomas.
BACKGROUND: Thermometry and -graphy prove asymmetries of the circulation. Contact-free thermometry of the cornea is applied to find out whether this method can contribute to differential diagnosis of ocular melanomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Under standardized conditions the temperature of the cornea was measured in 30 patients with malignant melanoma of the choroid and the conjunctiva and 35 healthy subjects. The instruments were a handpyrometer (HPM, Messgerätewerk, Magdeburg) and the thermovision camera of AGA Infrared System, Sweden, with dynamic recording in colour. RESULTS: In healthy subjects there are no significant asymmetries in temperature under standardized conditions. The temperature of the cornea is elevated in both malignant melanomas of the choroid and the conjunctiva. CONCLUSIONS: Thermometry and -graphy of the cornea can contribute to the differentiation of malignant ocular melanomas from other ophthalmological diseases. They are also suited in long term observation of the course of the melanomas.