Ultrasound biomicroscopy in iris lesions

Introduction: It is difficult to classify lesions of the iris, especially w h en they a re posterior or in the iridociliary angle of the eye. Method: We used an ultrasound biomicroscope (Humphrey, Zeiss, Oberkochen, G ermany) with a high-frequency sound head (30 and 50 Hz). This study include d all patients with unspecified iris processes who were examined at the Uni versity Eye Clinic and Hospital of Ulm between September 1996 and February 1997. Fifteen patients, aged between 9 to 82 years (average age = 48.9 year s), were prospectively evaluated. Results: A cyst of the iris or ciliary body causing a tumor of the iris was found in six cases (40 %). Seven patients (47 %) showed a solid tumor of t he iris and two patients (13 %) a solid tumor of the ciliary body. Conclusion: The ultrasound biomicroscope can be used to assess lesions of t he iris caused by a cyst or a solid tumor. The increasing size and depth ex pansion of a solid tumor may be helpful for differentiating between a malig nant or benign process. Up to now it has not been possible to use the ultra sonic reflectivity of the tumor to decide if it is malignant.