Objective:

To investigate the ultrasonographic characteristics of ciliary body melanocytoma and to differentiate it from ciliary body melanoma.

Methods:

The data of 22 cases (22 eyes) with ciliary body melanocytoma and 23 cases (23 eyes) with ciliary body melanoma treated in Eye center of Beijing Tongren Hospital

Capital Medical University from May 2010 to September 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The diagnoses were confirmed by pathological examinations. Ultrasoundbiomicroscopy (UBM)

color Doppler flow imaging and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography were performed on all patients.

Results:

UBM examination: Among 21 cases of ciliary body melanoma

14 lesions were hyperechoic

4 lesions were isoechoic

and 3 lesions were hypoechoic; 17 lesions invaded iris and chamber angle structures

and one lesion invaded sclera. Among 15 cases of ciliary body melanoma

5 cases lesions were isoechoic

and 10 lesions were hypoechoic. Color Doppler flow imaging: Among 22 cases of ciliary body melanocytoma

one lesion was spindle-shaped

and 21 lesions were hemispherical. Blood flow signal could be shown in 15 lesions. Among 23 cases of ciliary body melanoma

one lesion was spindle

15 lesions were hemispherical

and 7 lesions were mushroom-like. Blood flow signal could be shown in 22 lesions. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography: The maximum intensity was lower and mean transit time was longer in ciliary body melanocytoma than those was longer in ciliary body melanoma

with statistically significant difference.

Conclusion:

Ciliary body melanocytoma has certain ultrasonographic characteristics

which can provide a reliable basis for clinical diagnosis and differential diagnosis.