Doppler ultrasonography of malignant melanomas of the uvea
R. F. Guthoff, R. W. Berger, P. Winkler, K. Helmke and L. C. Chumbley
Department of Ophthalmology, Hamburg University Hospital-Eppendorf, Federal Republic of Germany.
Doppler shifts were detected using duplex and color Doppler scanning in 41
of 42 patients with malignant melanomas of the uvea. Mean maximum tumor
systolic velocity was 18.8 +/- 7.6 cm/s. Time-averaged maximum velocity in
the tumor vessels was 12.3 +/- 5.3 cm/s. Maximum tumor velocity increased
in four of eight tumors and was unchanged or had diminished in the other
four 2 to 3 days after ruthenium plaque irradiation. Doppler shifts were
undetectable in three tumors, markedly reduced in three tumors, and
unchanged in one tumor 1 to 4 months after treatment. We detected minimal
non-pulse-synchronized Doppler shifts in one of three tumors, and no shifts
in the remaining two tumors 1 1/2 to 4 years after therapy. Color duplex
scanning allowed a rapid overview of tumor vasculature and facilitated
study of individual vessels.
