[Iridociliary cysts on ultrasound biomicroscopic examinations]

To present the prevalence of iridociliary cysts in eyes of patients submitted to UBM examination.

We analyzed retrospectively the UBM images of 1157 patients in the period from September 1995 to June 2004. The inclusion criterion was the UBM examination had been made on the four quadrants (superior, inferior, nasal and temporal) of the eyes. The cysts were assessed and classified in relation to their number in each quadrant; localization and morphology. Using the UBM Pro 2000 software we took the measurements of the largest diameter, wall thickness and area of the cysts besides the angle recession area (ARA).

The prevalence of the cysts was 4.9%. No statistical difference was found between the prevalence of cysts regarding gender or between the right and left eyes. They were more prevalent in the inferior (39.8%) and temporal (29.1%) quadrants. The cysts with the largest diameter and area were located in the temporal and superior quadrants. No difference was found in relation to cysts' wall thickness in all quadrants.

No statistical difference was found between the prevalence of cysts as concerns gender or between the right and left eyes. However, the cysts were more prevalent in the inferior and temporal quadrants. The locations of the largest cysts are preferentially the temporal and superior quadrants. The angle recession area was smaller in the temporal and superior quadrants. The cysts' wall thickness is practically the same in all quadrants. The diagnosis of iridociliary cysts was an occasional finding in 64.3% of the patients.