Comparative study of ultrasonographic and ultra-wide-field fundus for measurements of the diameter of choroidal and retinal tumors

Background: Measurement of the largest basal dimension (LBD) of intraocular tumors is important as a prognostic parameter. In order to evaluate the potential value of true color wide-field fundus photography in the measurement of tumors, we compared the measurements of the LBD of choroidal and retinal tumors by color ultra-wide-field fundus camera to clinical estimation based on indirect ophthalmoscopy and standardized ophthalmic ultrasound. Methods The LBD of 148 choroidal and retinal tumors of 148 patients seen at the Tongren Hospital were measured by ultra-wide-field fundus photography and compared with those measured by B-scan ultrasound and clinical estimation based on indirect ophthalmoscopy. Results Paired t-tests reveal that measurements from wide-field fundus photographic images are not statistically different from clinical estimation and ultrasound measurements. The results also showed that, although not statistically significant, when the tumor boundary was clear, the height ༜3 mm or the tumor was pigmented, the measurement value of wide-field fundus photography was greater than that measured by ultrasound. However, when the vitreous opacity, subretinal fluid or retinal detachment obscures the tumor, or the tumor is too large, or the tumor is located in the peripheral retina and close to the ciliary body, it is difficult to obtain accurate measurement by wide-field fundus photography. Conclusions The LBD measurement by wide-field fundus photography correlated well with ultrasonography and clinical estimation and could be used as a reliable tool for LBD measurement of choroidal and retinal tumors.