Fatal Air Embolism after Choroidal Melanoma Endoresection without Air Infusion: A Case Report

Background

The aim of this study was to report 2 cases of pulmonary air embolism developing several hours after choroidal melanoma endoresection without the use of air infusion during the surgery, with fatality in 1 patient.

Methods

The method of this study was case report.

Participants

Two patients with large choroidal melanomas who collapsed several hours after endoresection without air infusion as a result of pulmonary air embolism.

Results

A 72-year-old man collapsed 4 h and 30 min after endoresection without air infusion. Computerized tomography angiography confirmed air embolism. The patient died after 86 min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. A 41-year-old woman collapsed 5 h and 30 min after endoresection, performed without air infusion and with close monitoring, which included right internal jugular vein catheterization intraoperatively. Transthoracic and transesophageal echography, performed preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively, revealed air embolism only after collapse occurred. Imaging showed the embolism to be biventricular because of patent foramen ovale. The patient was treated promptly with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and mechanical ventilation, which resulted in a full recovery.

Conclusions

Air embolism can develop after endoresection for choroidal melanoma, despite avoiding air infusion. Further studies are needed to understand how this occurs. Special measures are indicated to detect this complication and to treat it promptly and effectively.

Effectiveness of intravitreal chemotherapy-assisted endoresection in monocular patients with group D retinoblastoma

Background

This study aimed to determine the efficacy and complications of intravitreal chemotherapy-assisted endoresection for refractory International Classification of Retinoblastoma (ICRB) group D retinoblastoma in monocular patients.

Methods

In this retrospective case series, intravitreal chemotherapy-assisted endoresection by pars plana vitrectomy was performed in 11 eyes with refractory ICRB group D retinoblastoma unresponsive to standard therapies in monocular patients.

Results

Across a mean follow-up period of 42.7 months, globe salvage was attained in all 11 eyes (100%). There were no cases of extra-ocular tumour seeding or remote metastasis. In 9 eyes (81.8%), tumour control was achieved with one pars plana vitrectomy; in 2 cases (18.2%), repeated treatment, such as laser therapy, intravitreal chemotherapy or a second pars plana vitrectomy, was needed. Retinal reattachment was achieved in all 4 eyes (100%) with previous retinal detachment. Four eyes (36.4%) required subsequent cataract surgery due to secondary cataract. Ten eyes (90.9%) had improvement in best-corrected visual acuity at the last follow-up.

Conclusion

Intravitreal chemotherapy-assisted endoresection appears to be a safe and effective globe-salvaging method for refractory group D retinoblastoma. It is a promising alternative to enucleation and a supplementary therapeutic strategy for those unresponsive to standard therapies, especially for the monocular retinoblastoma patients.

Outcomes of primary endoresection for choroidal melanoma

Purpose

To review long time treatment results in patients with small or medium sized choroidal melanoma who underwent surgical tumor endoresection as a primary treatment when plaque radiotherapy was unable and patients declined enucleation.

Materials and methods

Patients were evaluated for best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and underwent biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, retinography and ultrasound as well as the usual systemic workup. Study inclusion required the absence of scleral invasion or metastasis and an anterior margin not exceeding the pars plana or the ciliary body. Surgery consisted of a clear lens phacoemulsification with a PC-IOL, and a 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with anterior vitreous shave, lesional choroidal endodiathermy, followed by 23-gauge probe tumor endoresection and continuous endolaser. Patients were followed at post-operative 1 day, 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months and then every 6 months with a complete ophthalmological exam including ultrasound biomicroscopy and systemic follow-up at 3, 6 and every 6 months thereafter.

Results

Fourteen patients with choroidal melanoma were included the study. Pre-operative BCVA ranged from 20/20 to hand motion (HM): 20/20 (n = 2); 20/60 (n = 1); and HM (n = 10). Pathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of uveal melanoma in all cases. Mean follow-up was 54.5 months (45–66 months) with a final BCVA ranging from 20/60 to HM: 20/60 (n = 1); 20/60 to 20/200 (n = 10); and HM (n = 2). The eye retention rate in our study was 100%. No intraocular recurrence was observed. One patient died 12 months after surgery from metastatic disease.

Conclusion

Endoresection appears to be an acceptable alternative to enucleation for the treatment of posteriorly-localized uveal melanoma, with excellent local control and eye salvage rates.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40942-017-0096-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Core Endoresection as Neoadjuvant Treatment of Uveal Melanoma

AIM

To present a case of neoadjuvant treatment of uveal melanoma with a limited core endoresection, which enabled ruthenium plaque radiotherapy to be administered.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A 77-year-old woman presented in 2005 with a ciliochoroidal uveal melanoma measuring 7.2 by 6.5 mm basally with a thickness of 6.2 mm. The vision in the affected eye was 6/9. Because of diagnostic uncertainty, we performed a biopsy, which produced a copious sample. The biopsy serendipitously reduced the tumour thickness to 4.4 mm, making ruthenium plaque brachytherapy possible.

RESULTS

Histopathological examination showed the tumour to be a melanoma predominantly of spindle cell type. Postoperative complications included a dense vitreous haemorrhage, which cleared spontaneously, and raised intraocular pressure, controlled with latanoprost. Seven years after brachytherapy, the vision was 6/5 and the thickness of the residual tumour was 2.5 mm. Nine years after treatment, there was no evidence of any intra- or extraocular seeding or distant metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

Core endoresection of a ciliochoroidal melanoma may reduce tumour thickness enough to allow subsequent ruthenium plaque radiotherapy.

Macroscopic techniques for ophthalmic tumor specimens

This article explores the range of tumor specimens that may be submitted to ophthalmic pathology. The handling of complex enucleation and exenteration is described along with smaller eyelid, conjunctival and corneal specimens. The importance of a good understanding of the unique anatomy of the ocular region and detailed clinical information is emphasized as this results in the taking of appropriate blocks for histology and consequently clinically helpful reports. Recommendations for handling specimens where further tissue is required for molecular studies is discussed.

Exoresection and endoresection for uveal melanoma

Surgical resection of uveal melanomas is an alternative eye-salvaging approach to the more commonly used irradiation techniques. There are two surgical resection techniques: Transscleral resection or “Exoresection” via a partial lamellar sclerouvectomy and “Endoresection” via a pars plana vitrectomy. While exoresection is more applicable to anteriorly located tumors with ciliary body and/or iris involvement, endoresection is more suitable for posteriorly located tumor without ciliary body involvement. Both approaches are suitable for large tumors with >8 mm in thickness. In general, eyes containing these large tumors have a very dismal prognosis regarding long-term visual function, eye retention, and irradiation-induced side effects. By removing the tumor burden from the eye, histopathologic and cytogenetic information of the tumor is available and complications associated with the so-called toxic tumor syndrome are avoided. However, both types of surgical resection are challenging surgical procedures, bearing the risk of early and late postoperative complications.