Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging in Nodal Staging and Surveillance of Ocular Melanoma: Cases Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Ocular melanoma (OM) is a rare noncutaneous malignancy and consists of 2 different subtypes based on anatomic location in the eye: uveal melanoma (UM) and conjunctival melanoma (CM). As in cutaneous melanoma, nuclear medicine and molecular imaging play valuable roles in the nodal staging and clinical management of OM. Through the illustration of 2 distinctive cases, we aim to demonstrate the complementary roles of standard lymphoscintigraphy, advanced single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography, 18F-fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography, and hybrid positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging in accurate nodal staging and surveillance of OM. We also review the epidemiology, existing staging guidelines and management of UM and CM.