Subretinal Exudation: The First Presentation of Untreated Choroidal Melanomas

This case series aims to present the unusual clinical manifestation of subretinal exudation in patients diagnosed with untreated choroidal melanoma. A total of 886 patients were diagnosed and treated for primary choroidal melanoma between November 2017 and June 2023 at St. Paul's Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, UK. The fundus photographs were screened for lipid exudates by two independent clinical experts. The patients' demographics, clinical manifestations, and imaging features were analysed, whereas the location of exudation was documented with fundus photographs and optical coherence tomography (OCT). The histopathological and genetic results were also analysed in cases with tumour biopsy available.

Eight cases with subretinal exudates were identified (n = 8/886, 0.90%). No gender predilection was noticed (male/female 1:1), whereas the mean age was 51 years (range 39-79). Four patients were asymptomatic at presentation, 2 patients reported reduced visual acuity, and 2 patients presented with photopsia. OCT scans revealed the presence of subretinal fluid and subretinal exudates, while the ultrasound showed medium or low internal reflectivity in 7 out of 8 cases. The biopsy analysis was available in 4 cases, all showing low-risk spindle cell choroidal melanoma with disomy 3.

Lipid exudates are an atypical fundoscopic finding in patients with untreated choroidal melanoma. The subretinal location could differentiate them from other retinal vascular conditions and facilitate early diagnosis and intervention. Interestingly, all cases tested cytogenetically were of low metastatic risk; these exudates may, therefore, be a positive clinical prognostic sign.