V. Mazzeo

Choroidal metastases. Echographic experience from 42 patients.

Abstract Over an 18 year period 42 patients with ocular metastases, age 30–75 years, 27 female and 15 male, were evaluated echographically. The right eye was affected in 18, the left in 17, and both eyes in 7. The most frequent primary tumours were carcinomas from breast (n = 25), lung (n = 6), and urinary bladder (n = 2). The choroidal metastases appeared mainly flat‐infiltrating or dome‐shaped, on B‐scan. A‐scan generally revealed high or medium reflectivity, however with important exceptions. Atypical cases are discussed. Usually eyes with metastases should not be enucleated. Accordingly, ultrasonic evaluation and follow‐up is of obvious importance.

Three cases of choroidal metastases with rapid growth and atypical echographic characteristics

The Authors reproduce a series of echographs taken over a period of time in three cases of choroidal metastasis, clinically characterised by a turbulent growth rate, and echo-graphically by anomalies when compared with typical metastases.

Ultrasound findings in brawny scleritis

Brawny or nodular scleritis is a relatively rare disease which is not always easy to diagnose clinically. Up to the present only seven cases of this disease have been described in the echographic literature (Chang et al., 1980; Ossoinig and Harrie, 1983; Green, 1987)

Echographic findings in infants with ROP.

The authors, before starting the discussion about ultrasound findings in infants with ROP, present a review of the history of ultrasound in this disease. Early A-scan reports are mentioned while the B-scan literature from 1984 to 1988, consisting of seven papers, is reviewed extensively. The most important echo patterns in the various stages of the disease are described along with the most intriguing ones. There is disagreement as to whether it is always possible to show by echography if the retina is in place or not. This is due to the fact that the acoustic properties of the retina seem sometimes to change as time goes by and is quite independent of any technical difficulties which are still very great and the know-how of the examiner.

Retinoblastoma of the diffused type on the A- and B-scan

The echographic term ‘pathognomonic of retinoblastoma’ has been widely described by Coleman et al. (1977) and Ossoinig et al. (1983).

Echographic findings in lymphoid hyperplasia of the choroid

In 1977 Coleman et al. (1977) wrote ‘Lymphoid hyperplasia of the choroid may be ultrasonically indistinguishable from an “en planque” melanoma but may be suspected due to greater sound absorption by inflammatory tissue’.

Echographic follow-up of Coats’s disease

Coats’ disease is the more common differential diagnosis with retinoblastoma. While many cases were examined only once, 5 cases were followed up with echography for different periods (from 6 months up to 5 years). Depending on the stage of the disease different echopatterns were found. They went from an increased retino- choroidal layer thickness to a total retinal detachment in which the retina was no more recognizable. The subretinal fluid changed its acoustic characteristics from case to case and in the long run. It was rather echogenic in the majority of cases. Some cases seem to have a slower tendency to reach the total detachment stage, while others seem to belong to a “rush type”.

Orbit lymphoma: echographic findings — our experience

Sixteen patients, eight men and eight women, with mono- or bilateral exophthalmos caused by lymphoma, were observed at the University Eye Clinic of Ferrara, between 1982 and 1993. We describe in detail the echographic characteristics and the essential features for the diagnosis. We also discuss the role of the ultrasonography in the differential diagnosis and in the follow-up.

The role of echography in small-sized melanomas

Echographic diagnosis of choroidal melanomas is based on well-known criteria. In the following chapter, the authors compare melanomas just large enough to be seen (i.e. smaller than 3 mm) with other small lesions, in order to set differential diagnostic criteria. To this end, all small lesions observed by the authors in the last ten years have been critically re-examined.

Computerized analysis of echo signals: multicentric experience

The authors report their multicenter experience on computerized analysis of echo signals, utilizing the same ultrasound machine model, hardware and software. The theoretical note of this study and some clinical aspects are presented and discussed.