DIFFUSION-WEIGHTED MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN THE EVALUATION OF PATIENTS WITH CHOROIDAL MELANOMA TREATED WITH BRACHYTHERAPY.

Abstract

Choroidal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular tumor in adults. When there is no evidence of distant metastasis, the most common therapeutic options include surgical treatment with enucleation and brachytherapy. By allowing the conservation of the eye, often with useful vision, brachytherapy has been the main therapeutic option. Currently, the imaging method most used for choroidal melanoma assessment is ocular ultrasound, which helps confirm the diagnosis, to estimate the size and location of the tumor for control and treatment planning. However, the reduction in size of the tumor by ultrasound is observed only belatedly after the brachytherapy treatment. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the orbits is an excellent method for evaluation of choroidal melanoma, which can be used to evaluate early therapeutic response to brachytherapy, allowing better identification of patients at risk for treatment failure. The objective of this study is to assess the role of diffusion-weighted MRI in the evaluation of patients with choroidal melanoma at the time of diagnosis and assessment of therapeutic response after brachytherapy. A prospective, single-center study will be conducted including patients with choroidal melanoma, elective for brachytherapy. Diffusion-weighted MRI will be performed before and after treatment by brachytherapy in patients who agree to participate in the study. Local tumor control evaluated by ophthalmologic exam will be used as gold standard. (AU)