Fluorescein and indocyanine green videoangiography of choroidal melanomas

Purpose: This study was performed to determine what role indocyanine green video angiography might play in the evaluation of choroidal melanomas, and to compare this role with that of fluorescein angiography. Methods: Six patients with posterior segment uveal melanoma underwent digital fluorescein and indocyanine green videoangiography. All patients were women and their mean age was 50.7 years. Results: In all eyes with melanoma, fluorescein angiography revealed irregular hyperfluorescence in the early phase and staining of the tumor in the late phase. A double circulation pattern was obvious in 1 eye with a mushroom-shaped melanoma. The patterns of indocyanine green videoangiography varied, depending on the degree of tumor pigmentation, thickness, and vascularity. Early frames of indocyanine green video angiography demonstrated hypofluorescence in all eyes, and the intrinsic choroidal vasculature was obvious in 3 eyes. In the late phase of indocyanine green videoangiograms, different patterns (hyperfluorescence, three-ring pattern) were observed. Conclusion: Indocyanine green videoangiography may be a useful adjunct to fluorescein angiography in the evaluation of choroidal melanomas. Jpn J Ophthalmol 1999;43:25-30 (C) 1999 Japanese Ophthalmological Society.