INTRAVITREAL INVASION OF MALIGNANT-CELLS FROM CHOROIDAL MELANOMA AFTER BRACHYTHERAPY

We report intravitreal invasion by melanoma cells from a choroidal mel anoma after brachytherapy. A malignant melanoma of the choroid with co llar-button configuration was treated with iodine 125 brachytherapy, Y ears later, the collar button developed a dark-chocolate color and beg an shedding pigmented debris into the vitreous. Coalescence of this de bris into spheroidal aggregates suggested the presence of malignant ce lls; the eye was enucleated. Histologic sections demonstrated a choroi dal melanoma with intraretinal and intravitreal invasion by melanoma. Clinical evidence of intraretinal invasion by melanoma cells along wit h pigmented debris within the vitreous cavity, especially when cluster ed in spheroidal aggregates, suggests the presence of intravitreal inv asion by malignant cells, In this case, intravitreal invasion was veri fied histologically.