Adult Eye Masses

This chapter deals with adult tumors of the uvea, and therefore essentially melanomas. Melanoma is the most frequently symptomatic eye tumor in adults. Positive diagnosis includes a morphometric study in B-mode, a study of the echotexture, best evaluated with standardized A-mode and the evaluation of the vascularization, which is the most characteristic sign, by color Doppler imaging (CDI). Successively are studied choroidal masses, iris tumors and tumors with ciliary body involvement. Ultrasound is of great help for differential diagnosis: metastases, angiomas, nevi, osteomas, melanocytomas, leiomyomas, adenomas; among pseudotumors: hematomas, granulomas, a serous pigment epithelial detachment in ARMD, a posterior nodular scleritis, and among the false masses: a subluxation of the crystalline nucleus, a voluminous, intumescent lens, a peristaphylomatous bulge related to high myopia, an anterior scleromalacia and a dilation of a vortex vein ampulla. Then the value of tissue characterization is highlighted, as well as 3D/4D imaging. Finally, extension of melanomas as well as post-conservative treatment follow-up are studied in detail.