Article
Cytological examination of biopsies of indeterminate uveal tumours with the ThinPrep method
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Published: | September 22, 2004 |
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Outline
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Objective
To evaluate the ThinPrep method as a tool to establish a correct cytological diagnosis in biopsies of indeterminate uveal tumours provided by the vitrectomy cutter.
Methods
26 intraocular biopsies were performed by a three-port pars plana vitrectomy in 25 patients with unclassifiable uveal tumours. One patient had 2 consecutive biopsies on the same eye. The biopsy material underwent cytological examination with the ThinPrep method. In case of enucleation or resection of the tumour the samples also underwent routine histological examination. Additional immunohistochemical stains were performed in selected cases.
Results
In all cases the material was sufficient for further examination. A final diagnosis could be established in 25 out of 26 biopsies (96%). Cytopathologic diagnosis determined the treatment and differed from the initial clinical diagnosis in 3 of 26 cases. 9 eyes (36%) were enucleated and one eye underwent endoresection, so that histological examination could be performed. In 9 cases the cytological diagnosis was confirmed, in one case a metastasis was diagnosed. Postoperative events that were related to the surgery included vitreous hemorrhage in 4 cases, secondary glaucoma in 3 cases and retinal detachment in 2 cases. No late side effects were seen during the mean follow-up time of 6.46 months.
Conclusions
Biopsy of unclear uveal tumours with the vitrectomy cutter is a safe procedure. In the majority of the examined specimens (96%) the result of the cytological examination with the ThinPrep method was informative and determined the further management of the patients.