Brachytherapy of choroidal melanoma using radioactive gold grains--a case report

A brachytherapy of a choroidal melanoma using 198Au grains has been performed. Procedurally, the sclera was first incised, after which a pouch was constructed and the grains then arranged around the tumor in a circle so as to enclose it, said operative procedure according to the Manchester Technique. Total Gy dosage amounted to 120 Gy. Postoperatively, in due course, the disappearance of the tumor was clearly shown on MRI examination. The small size and the short half-life of the gold grains made it possible to insert the grains into the tissue permanently, and to give an adequate Gy dosage to eradicate the tumor while still preserving the eyeball.