Investigation of anterior segment tumors using multimodal imaging methods

Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, cases of eye tumors presenting to our Ocular Oncology Unit, specifically those with anterior segment involvement that could be imaged using anterior segment optical coherence tomography and/or ultrasound biomicroscopy, were included. The surfaces, boundaries, structures, contents, and visual features of the tumors were described and compared. Results: Diagnoses of patients undergoing multimodal imaging examinations were distributed as follows: 4 cases of conjunctival nevus (20%), 1 case of primary acquired melanosis with iris cyst association (5%), 1 case of conjunctival nevus with malignant melanoma association (5%), 1 case of conjunctival intraepithelial tumor (5%), 1 case of conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma (5%), 4 cases of iris cyst (20%), 3 cases of iris nevus (15%), 1 case of iris metastasis (5%), 2 cases of ciliary body malignant melanoma (15%), 1 case of ciliochoroidal malignant melanoma (5%), and 1 case of dermoid tumor (5%). Anterior segment optical coherence tomography is more suitable for imaging superficial, non-pigmented, small tumors with higher resolution. It can particularly demonstrate the front surface boundaries of non-pigmented tumors up to the iris pigment epithelium more clearly. Ultrasound biomicroscopy is more suitable for imaging the posterior edge of tumors and structures behind the iris pigment epithelium. It can also show tumors with a more superficial location than the iris pigment epithelium. Conclusion: Considering all configurations of anterior segment tumors, ultrasound biomicroscopy generally provides better images. Higher resolution images can be obtained with anterior segment optical coherence tomography for tumors that can be visualized with it. Keywords: Ultrasound biomicroscopy, optical coherence tomography, multimodal imaging, anterior segment, tumors