Ultrasmall Gauge Biopsy of Small Choroidal Melanomas with a Subretinal Cannula.

StudyRetinal cases & brief reports· Mar 2026

Ultrasmall Gauge Biopsy of Small Choroidal Melanomas with a Subretinal Cannula.

Deanna Ingrassia Miano, Basil K Williams, Peter G Hovland

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Ocular OncologyStudyDiagnosisQ3IF 0.9

A subretinal cannula biopsy technique yielded diagnostic tissue in most small choroidal melanomas.

Ultrasmall Gauge Biopsy of Small Choroidal Melanomas with a Subretinal Cannula.

Deanna Ingrassia Miano … Peter G Hovland

Retinal cases & brief reports · Mar 2026 · Q3 in Ophthalmology

Purpose

To report a novel technique for biopsying small choroidal tumors for molecular prognostication utilizing a 38-gauge subretinal cannula.

Methods

Through a transvitreal approach, a subretinal cannula enters the eye and penetrates the tumor in an area devoid of blood vessels.

n = 16 patients

Results

88% (14/16)

14 of 16 tumor biopsies with this cannula gave enough tissue for molecular testing.

n = 16 patients

More results

Sixteen patients underwent biopsy using this technique for suspected small choroidal melanoma (1.5 mm average thickness).

Of 2 patients without yield, there was a technical processing error and an anteriorly located tumor.

No complications were observed.

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

The described technique using a subretinal cannula for choroidal tumor biopsy yields sufficient specimen for molecular analysis while potentially minimizing visually threatening side effects.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

It may hold additional benefit when biopsying small, posterior tumors, which are adjacent to sensitive anatomy.

Ultrasmall Gauge Biopsy of Small Choroidal Melanomas with a Subretinal Cannula.

Ultrasmall Gauge Biopsy of Small Choroidal Melanomas with a Subretinal Cannula.

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