Surgical excision of iridociliary tumors using a postero-anterior cyclo-iridectomy and thermocautery in two dogs
Rachel L. Davis1 | Christopher M. Reilly2 | Phillip A. Moore3
Abstract
Purpose
To report the surgical excision of an iridociliary adenoma and iridal melanocytoma using a postero-anterior cyclo-iridectomy in two dogs.
Methods
A 7 year old neutered male English springer spaniel (case 1) and a 7 year old neutered male Labrador mix (case 2) were presented for evaluation of an intrairidal mass OS.
Results
Complete ophthalmic examination revealed a large, dorsonasal, well-demarcated, intrairidal mass OS. A tan to pink intrairidal mass extending into the iridocorneal angle (case 1) and a pigmented intrairidal mass (case 2) were present. B-mode ultrasonography showed a focal, soft tissue, homogenous mass within the uvea adjacent to and contacting the lens. Neither pars plana involvement nor vitreal extension was present. A postero-anterior cyclo-iridectomy was performed through a polyhedral scleral flap. Thermocautery was used to complete the cyclo-iridectomy (case 1) and partial iridectomy (case 2) to excise the mass en bloc. Histopathology revealed a completely excised iridociliary adenoma (case 1) and iris melanocytoma (case 2). The surgery sites healed without complication. Mild uveitis (cases 1 and 2), scant vitreal hemorrhage (case 1), and mild hyphema (case 2) were present three days postoperatively but had resolved ten days postoperatively. The patients remain visual twenty-two months (case 1) and seven months (case 2) postoperatively with a normal intraocular examination other than an iridal defect and mild dorsonasal lens capsular opacities.
Conclusions
The surgical approach described in these cases is utilized in physician-based medicine. This approach and the use of thermocautery provide a viable surgical option for excision of large iridociliary tumors in dogs.
Images
The left eye is depicted from case 1 at the time of initial presentation prior to (a) and post-(b) pharmacologic mydriasis. A large, well-demarcated, tan to pink, raised intrairidal mass is present in the dorsonasal quadrant affecting the entire iris width over approximately three clock hours. Secondary dyscoria was pronounced after pharmacologic mydriasis (b) 
A representative ultrasonographic image of the left globe (case 1) is shown. A well-demarcated, soft tissue density, homogenous mass is present focally expanding the iris and ciliary body. The mass is contacting the lens focally, but no extension into the lens or posterior to the lens is noted 
The left eye is depicted from case 2 at the time of initial presentation. A well-demarcated, pigmented, raised, intrairidal mass was present in the dorsonasal quadrant over one and a half clock hours
Keywords: iridociliary tumor excision dogs, canine iridociliary adenoma surgery, canine iris melanocytoma treatment, cyclo-iridectomy dogs, thermocautery eye surgery dogs, postero-anterior cyclo-iridectomy, canine intraocular tumor management, ocular tumor excision dogs, en bloc tumor excision eye dogs, canine ophthalmic surgery techniques
1,Animal Eye Clinic, Westfield, Indiana, USA
2Insight Veterinary Pathology, Davis, California, USA.
3Department of Clinical Science, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
Correspondence:
Rachel L. Davis, DVM, MS, Diplomate, ACVO – Ophthalmologist
Animal Eye Clinic
4750 Killarney Drive
Carmel, IN 46033
Email: info@indyaec.com