Fundamental Limitations of Radiophosphorus Counting Methods Used for Detection of Intraocular Neoplasm

Abstract

Since Scarney and Crossin's¹ early report, much work has been done with Geiger tubes placed on the eye, and attempts have been made to estimate from this the distribution of radiophosphorus within.^1-8,11,12,27 To date, the evidence recorded in favor of this technique for ocular tumor diagnosis appears to rest upon several broad assumptions. The experiments which follow were designed to examine certain of these assumptions and to secure, if possible,additional basic knowledge about the ocular uptake of P³². A preliminary phase of the study concerns measurement of the differential uptake by two ocular tumors of human origin, while the main part deals with the specific organ uptake by animal eyes, under conditions relevant to the clinical situation. Finally, an attempt was made to demonstrate the influence of scleral absorption upon external counting results. One cannot claim that conclusions derived from animal experiments of this sort are entirely