Program Book

control group received both an intravenous and oral placebo. Patients
in both groups had access to standard medications for pain on a
sliding scale as needed based on pain severity. Nurses were blinded
to the patient’s group status. Patients were asked to score their pain
experience using a visual analogue scale (VAS) three times per day
during the inpatient admission while the plaque was in place as well as
once the day after plaque removal and once at the 2-week postoperative
visit. The nurse administering the steroid or placebo to the patient
separately scored his/her perception of the patients’ pain using the
Wong-Baker FACES scale.
Results. Preliminary results indicate that there is a decreased pain in
the patients in the steroid group both during plaque application and
in the immediate post-operative period. Patient recruitment and data
analysis is ongoing and full results will be presented at the ISOO.
Conclusions. The use of intravenous and oral steroids should be
considered both during the treatment period and post-operatively for
plaque patients given the severe discomfort that many plaque patients
experience.
Financial disclosure. None
1623 UM35
UVEAL MELANOMA AMONG FINNISH CHILDREN AND
ADOLESCENTS
Rana’a Aljamal, Tero Kivelä (ranaa.aljamal@hus.fi)
Departement of Ophthalmology, Ocular Oncology Service, Helsinki
University Central Hospital,
Purpose. To report uveal melanoma (UM) before the age of 25 years in
Finland, a high incidence region for this cancer.
Methods. A population-based study identified 24 patients (0.3%), aged
between 13 and 24 years at diagnosis, treated in our hospital in 1963-
2006. They were divided in two groups, the first consisted of 11 patients
(9 females, 2 males) enucleated before 1997. The second was treated by
irradiation after 1991, consisting of 11 patients (9 females, 2 males). Two
other patients underwent local resection (male and female).
Results. Tumour height was 4-11 mm (mean, 7) in the first and 4.4-13.7
mm (mean, 8.5) in the second group and largest basal diameter ranged
from 5-16 mm (mean, 10) and 2.5- 21 mm (mean, 15), respectively. Four
patients died, 3 of UM (after 4, 12 and 21 years). All were female with
spindle tumours. In the second group, 2 females died of UM (after 3
and 4 years).
Conclusions. UM is rarely seen among young children and adolescents.
In this small series, females outnumbered males.
Financial disclosure. None
UVEAL MELANOMA
Abstracts
107
406 UM 36
RESULTS OF MELANOMA BRACHYTHERAPY IN AR-
GENTINA
Arturo Irarrazaval, Pablo Cazon (artuira@consultoresoftalmologicos.
com)
Consultores Oftalmologicos
Purpose. To present our experience in 58 cases of choroidal melanoma
treated with brachytherapy in Argentina.
Methods. Retrospective study of the charts of 58 patients treated with
brachytherapy.
Results. There were, till today, 3 cases of metastases. We had 3
recurrences, and could preserve the globe in 52 cases. 31 of our patients
had a final visual acuity of 20/400 or better.
Conclusions. Conservative treatment of melanoma, using brachytherapy,
has good results in preserving the eye, without increase in mortality,
and in more than half the patients, retaining useful vision.
Financial disclosure. None