Bilateral simultaneous primary choroidal melanomas: Treated with palladium-103 plaque radiation.

PURPOSE: To provide a clinical description of a case of bilateral choroidal melanoma in a patient treated with palladium-103 (103 Pd) plaque brachytherapy.

METHODS: An 81-year-old man presented with choroidal melanoma in both eyes. In consideration of tumor sizes and locations, treatment involved insertion of 103 Pd radioactive plaque in the right eye followed by the left at an interval of 2 months.

RESULTS: At 1-year follow-up, bilateral local control has been associated with apical tumor height regression, and visual acuity has been preserved (20/20 in the right eye and 20/25 in the left). Exudative subretinal fluid has resolved. There has been no metastasis.

CONCLUSION: Bilateral choroidal melanomas are rare, reported to be either simultaneous or sequential as well as treatable. In this case, we were able to achieve tumor regression and preserve visual acuity in both eyes after plaque brachytherapy.