Laser ablation of an enlarging small melanocytic choroidal tumor: 16-year follow-up and rationale for treatment.

Abstract

Results of laser photocoagulation of a growing pigmented choroidal lesion for which the differential diagnosis included enlarging nevus and small melanoma and the rationale for such treatment are described. A 37-year-old woman underwent ablative laser photocoagulation for a small juxtapapillary pigmented choroidal lesion that was documented photographically to enlarge in diameter from 300 to 1,750 microns after 8 years. Sixteen years after laser photocoagulation, the visual acuity remains 20/20 with no further growth or recurrence of the lesion. Local treatment may be justified for a small pigmented choroidal lesion that is documented to grow.

• Authors: Jerry A Shields, Carol L Shields, Randall Peairs, Peter Racciato
• Journal: Ophthalmic surgery, lasers & imaging : the official journal of the International Society for Imaging in the Eye (Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging) 2006 Jan-Feb Vol. 37 Issue 1 Pg. 79-81 ISSN: 1542-8877 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16468559 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adult
• Choroid Neoplasms (pathology, surgery)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Laser Coagulation (methods)
• Nevus, Pigmented (pathology, surgery)
• Time Factors
• Visual Acuity