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False-positive results with the radioactive phosphorus test.
Archives of Ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|December 1, 1977
Summary
Radioactive phosphorus tests can yield false positives in cases of chorioretinal granuloma and choroidal nevus. Beta emission significantly exceeded controls, potentially due to inflammation or unexplained metabolic activity.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pathology
- Nuclear Medicine
Background:
- Radioactive phosphorus (32P) testing is used to aid in the diagnosis of intraocular tumors.
- False-positive results can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
Observation:
- Two cases presented with false-positive radioactive phosphorus tests: one with a chorioretinal granuloma containing acid-fast bacilli and another with a choroidal nevus.
- In both instances, beta emission levels exceeded control areas by over 100%.
Findings:
- The chorioretinal granuloma's infiltration into the sclera allowed inflammatory tissue to be closer to the counting probe than normal choroid.
- The elevated metabolic activity in the benign nevus cells leading to a false-positive result remains unexplained.
Implications:
- These findings highlight the potential for false-positive results with radioactive phosphorus testing in specific benign or inflammatory ocular conditions.
- Careful correlation with clinical presentation, imaging, and histopathology is essential to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment in ocular oncology.