American Journal of Ophthalmology
Volume 140, Issue 2 , Pages 193.e1-193.e9, August 2005

Whole Body Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Staging of Metastatic Choroidal Melanoma

  • Madhavi Kurli, MD

      Affiliations

    • The New York Eye Cancer Center, New York
    • The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York
    • ,
  • Shantan Reddy, MD

      Affiliations

    • New York University School of Medicine, New York
    • ,
  • Lawrence B. Tena, MD

      Affiliations

    • The New York Eye Cancer Center, New York
    • The Saint Vincent’s Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York
    • The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York
    • New York Medical College, New York, New York.
    • ,
  • Anna C. Pavlick, DO

      Affiliations

    • New York University School of Medicine, New York
    • ,
  • Paul T. Finger, MD

      Affiliations

    • The New York Eye Cancer Center, New York
    • The Saint Vincent’s Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York
    • The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York
    • New York University School of Medicine, New York
    • Corresponding Author InformationInquiries to Paul T. Finger, MD, The New York Eye Cancer Center, 115 East 61st Street, New York, NY 10021; fax: 212-888-4030

Accepted 23 February 2005. published online 29 June 2005.

Purpose

To evaluate whole-body positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography in staging of patients with metastatic choroidal melanoma.

Design

Interventional non-randomized clinical study.

Methods

Twenty patients were referred for whole-body 18-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) PET/computed tomography imaging because of suspected metastatic choroidal melanoma. PET/computed tomography images were studied for the presence and distribution of metastatic melanoma. Subsequent biopsies were performed to confirm the presence of metastatic disease.

Results

Twenty patients underwent PET/computed tomography. Eighteen were imaged because of abnormal clinical, hematologic, or radiographic screening studies during the course of their follow-up after plaque brachytherapy or enucleation. Two were imaged before treatment of their primary tumor. PET/computed tomography revealed or confirmed metastatic melanoma in eight (40%) of these 20 patients. The mean time from initial diagnosis to metastasis was 47 months (range 0 to 154). The most common sites for metastases were the liver (100%), bone (50%), lung (25%), lymph nodes (25%), and subcutaneous tissue (25%). Cardiac, brain, thyroid, and posterior abdominal wall lesions (12.5%) were also noted. Six patients (75%) had multiple organ involvement. No false positives were noted. PET/computed tomography imaging also detected benign lesions of the bone and lymph nodes in three patients (15%). All patients had hepatic metastases and liver enzyme assays were abnormal in only one (12.5%) of eight patients.

Conclusions

PET/computed tomography imaging is a sensitive tool for the detection and localization of hepatic and extra-hepatic (particularly osseous) metastatic choroidal melanoma.

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 Supported by The Eye Care Foundation, Inc. and Research to Prevent Blindness, New York, New York.

PII: S0002-9394(05)00274-6

doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2005.02.051

American Journal of Ophthalmology
Volume 140, Issue 2 , Pages 193.e1-193.e9, August 2005

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