Choroidal metastasis of a gingival squamous cell carcinoma

PURPOSE: To report a case of choroidal metastasis of a gingival squamous cell carcinoma. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: Review of the clinical history and pathologic findings. RESULTS: A 59-year-old woman with a history of right gingival squamous cell carcinoma presented with sudden dimness of vision in the left eye of 4 weeks duration. Fundus examination of the left eye revealed a yellowish elevated subretinal lesion involving the optic disk and macula. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the choroidal lesion, left eye, revealed metastatic squamous carcinoma cells. The patient was referred to a radiation oncologist for further management. CONCLUSION: Choroidal metastasis from gingival squamous cell carcinoma is rare, and it may develop from hematogeneous spread.     

Metástasis coroidea como primera manifestación de carcinoma papilar de tiroides: a propósito de un caso

The case is presented of 78 year-old who consulted due to decreased visual acuity in right eye for several months. Indirect ophthalmoscopy revealed an orange-yellow coloured choroidal mass at the posterior pole, without retinal detachment. Computed tomography showed a thyroid mass in the isthmus, as well as multiple pulmonary nodules and metastatic foci. The findings of transbronchial lung biopsy were compatible with metastatic dissemination. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of thyroid nodule was diagnostic for a with columnar cell variant of papillary thyroid cancer. Positron emission tomography confirmed papillary thyroid carcinoma. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine therapy.     

Red lesions of the iris, choroid, and skin secondary to metastatic carcinoma of the thyroid: a review

An 83-year-old man was seen with a history of bilateral progressive loss of vision of 1 month's duration. On examination, there was a reddish, nodular lesion adjacent to the right side of the nose. Slit-lamp examination revealed a reddish iris mass in the left eye. Ophthalmoscopic examination revealed two orange choroidal lesions in the right eye and a large subretinal hemorrhage in the posterior pole with a central reddish vascular lesion in the left eye. An excisional biopsy of the skin lesion was performed. A diagnosis of metastatic follicular thyroid carcinoma was made according to the histopathologic findings and immunohistochemistry. The patient had no known history of thyroid malignancy and a metastatic survey revealed widespread metastasis. The patient had a total thyroidectomy followed by two series of radioactive iodine ablation. The iris lesion completely resolved and the choroidal lesions in the right eye showed partial regression during the follow-up period. Ocular and skin metastasis secondary to thyroid carcinoma is uncommon. In a review of English literature we found reports of 12 clinically well-documented cases of choroidal metastasis and two cases of iris metastasis. Our case and review of the previous cases reveal that reddish/orange color is a commonly observed feature of the uveal metastasis of thyroid carcinoma. Although ocular and skin metastases from thyroid carcinoma are rare, this possibility should be considered in the differential diagnosis of reddish-colored iris and choroidal masses as well as reddish nodular lesions of the scalp, face, and neck.     

Case of metastatic intraocular malignant lymphoma with neovascular glaucoma

BACKGROUND: It is relatively rare to encounter a case of neovascular glaucoma induced by malignant lymphoma metastasized into the eyeball. CASE: A 79-year-old woman initially visited our ophthalmology clinic with the chief complaint of blurring of vision in the left eye which was affected by neovascular glaucoma. She had a history of systemic malignant lymphoma, first diagnosed from skin biopsy and treated to complete remission 3 years previously. A metastatic brain lesion, detected 2 months before her initial visit to our clinic, was cured by radiotherapy. FINDINGS: By ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) we detected abnormal thickening of the temporal half of the ciliary body of her left eye. Cytological examination of the aqueous humor revealed invasion by malignant cells of presumed lymphocyte origin. Radiation therapy to the left eye normalized the intraocular pressure in a week, followed by a reduction in the neovascularization of the iris and the thickening of the ciliary body. CONCLUSION: This case showed that metastatic malignant lymphoma in the eye could result in neovascular glaucoma and that UBM is useful to detect and to observe lesions in the iris and ciliary body.     

Solitäre Irismetastase bei Mammakarzinom

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of intraocular metastases from breast cancer is approximately 4-5%. Solitary metastases of the iris are rare. We report on successful treatment of a solitary iris metastasis using electron beam irradiation. CASE REPORT: A 30-year-old patient presented with an amelanotic tumor of the iris and the anterior chamber angle of her right amblyopic eye. The patient had undergone left-sided breast-conserving surgery and lymph node dissection 3 years before followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The iris tumor was considered a metastasis. Fractionated electron beam irradiation was performed applying a total dose of 50 Gy in fractions of 5 x 2 Gy/week, electrons (9 MeV). The iris metastasis was completely resolved 13 months after radiotherapy. Until now no signs of cataract have been detected and visual acuity has remained stable. CONCLUSION: Electron beam irradiation of this iris metastasis was an effective treatment for preserving visual acuity and ocular function with tolerable acute toxicity and so far no adverse side effects.     

Anterior segment necrosis associated with endogenous endophthalmitis secondary to group C streptococcal septicemia

Anterior segment necrosis following ocular infections and endophthalmitis secondary to group C streptococcal infection are both rare. We report a case of unilateral anterior segment necrosis associated with bilateral metastatic group C streptococcal endophthalmitis in a 68-year-old black man with multiple systemic disorders complicated by culture-confirmed group C streptococcal septicemia and endocarditis. Pathological examination of the left eye at autopsy demonstrated necrosis of the anterior segment involving the cornea, iris, lens and ciliary body. The right eye showed signs of mild residual inflammation. To our knowledge anterior segment necrosis has not previously been described in association with group C streptococcal endophthalmitis.     

Irismetastasen bei Mammakarzinom

BACKGROUND: Metastatic cancer of the iris is rare. We report a case of breast carcinoma which metastasized to the iris and a review of the literature. METHOD: A 60-year-old woman with a history of breast carcinoma presented with lesions of the iris 5 years after diagnosis and tumor excision. In addition to slit-lamp examination including gonioscopy, ultrasound biomicroscopy, positron-emission tomography and fluorescein angiography of the iris were used for diagnosis. Furthermore, the literature was searched using the medline database. RESULTS: The iris metastasis exhibited multiple whitish to pink nodules on the inferior half of the iris and infiltration of the chamber angle. The main tumor mass was prominent and highly vascularized. Best corrected visual acuity was 20/40 and the intraocular pressure was 7 mmHg. Ultrasound biomicroscopy showed lobular masses characterized by mid to low reflectivity and there was no distinct border to the surrounding tissue. Fluorescein angiography of the iris showed tumor vessels with dye leakage. The positron-emission tomography displayed metastatic lesions to the liver, lung, bones and lymph nodules in addition to the lesion of the iris. The review of the literature revealed that breast carcinoma leads to choroidal metastases in 5% of cases and iris metastases are even rarer. In twothirds of these cases the lesions form unilateral whitish to red clumps at the horizontal meridian and in the inferior quadrants of the iris. The preferred treatment is chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Breast carcinoma is rarely associated with iris metastasis. Positron-emission tomography is a sensitive diagnostic tool to identify metastatic lesions and is a useful method for planning therapeutic approaches. Radiation therapy, argon laser treatment and block excision are therapeutic options with an isolated metastasis of the iris.     

Glaucoma neovascular causado por metástasis de carcinoma microcítico de pulmón. Presentación de un caso

Small-cell lung cancer may directly affect the eye by metastatic proliferation or indirectly by paraneoplastic syndromes. The choroid is the most common site for uveal metastasis (90%); however, the iris can be involved in a smaller proportion of cases (incidence <10%). Blurred vision, pain, redness, photophobia, glaucoma, hyphema and visual field defects can arise from this metastatic involvement. The median survival time for patients with iris metastasis is reported to be 4 months. Secondary glaucoma can be managed with topical and oral treatment, transscleral cyclophotocoagulation, laser trabeculoplasty, anti-VEGF, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), filtering surgery, shunting surgery or enucleation. A case of primary small-cell lung cancer with iris metastasis is presented. The metastases produced an angle-closure glaucoma, which was refractory to topical treatment. Local radiotherapy was administered, obtaining a good local response.     

Metastasis to the eye and orbit from renal cell carcinoma--a report of three cases and review of literature

We report three cases of renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the eye and orbit and review the relevant literature. The case reports of a 67-year-old man, a 58-year-old man, and a 23-year-old woman with metastatic renal cell carcinoma are described. The iris mass occurred in a 67-year-old man, a known case of renal cell carcinoma. Whereas the orbital metastasis in the 58-year-old man was the initial presenting sign in a hitherto undiagnosed patient, the orbital metastasis in the 23-year-old female patient was detected following nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma. Renal cell carcinoma metastasizing to the eye and orbit are very rare, with only 68 cases reported previously. In patients presenting with atypical orbital or ocular masses, the possibility of renal cell carcinoma metastasis should be considered, especially if there is a history of previous renal disorder. Incisional biopsy with histopathological evaluation may be an important means to diagnose this condition and facilitate appropriate therapy.     

Mucinous adenocarcinoma metastatic to the iris, ciliary body, and choroid.

A 67-year-old woman presented with signs of severe intraocular inflammation and secondary glaucoma. The initial diagnosis was uveitis, and an anterior chamber paracentesis with cytological study of the aspirate failed to establish an aetiological diagnosis. After three trabeculectomies had failed to control the intraocular pressure, the blind eye was enucleated. On histopathological examination a mucinous adenocarcinoma was found to cover diffusely the iris surface and to involve the ciliary body and peripheral choroid. The patient subsequently developed evidence of widespread metastatic disease and died shortly thereafter. Although a primary tumour was never found, histochemical and immunohistochemical studies of the enucleated eye suggested that the lesion originated in the gastrointestinal tract. In cases of intractable glaucoma and anterior chamber inflammation, metastatic carcinoma should be included in the differential diagnosis, and efforts should be made to substantiate the diagnosis by a systemic examination or a biopsy.     

Renal cell carcinoma with involvement of iris and conjunctiva

PURPOSE: To report a case of metastatic renal cell carcinoma with involvement of the iris and bulbar conjunctiva. METHODS: Case report. A 70-year-old man without known systemic disease developed an iris mass in his left eye. Iridocyclectomy was performed to remove the iris mass. RESULTS: Histopathologically, the iris mass was consistent with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Further evaluation disclosed a mass of the left kidney. The patient underwent a left nephrectomy and was found to have renal cell carcinoma, with focal penetration into the renal capsule. One month after the nephrectomy, he developed a highly vascular nodule of the left bulbar conjunctiva. An excisional biopsy was performed, and histopathology disclosed an additional focus of renal cell carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Iris and conjunctival involvement may be a clinical manifestation of renal cell carcinoma. Renal cell carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a fleshy, vascular iris and a conjunctival nodule.     

Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous--a case report of adult onset acute angle-closure glaucoma]

BACKGROUND: We report a patient with persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous(PHPV) who presented with acute angle-closure glaucoma in his adult life. CASE: A 30-year-old man had an attack of acute angle-closure glaucoma associated with retrolenticular fibrous tissue, atrophic retina, and elongated cilliary process in his right eye. RESULT: Ultrasound biomicroscopy(UBM) study showed iris bowing, shallow anterior chamber, and elongated cilliary body which were being pulled by the retrolenticular mass. The posterior chamber was normal. CONCLUSION: Although the mechanisms of secondary angle-closure glaucoma in PHPV are complicated, we suspected pupillary block resulting from constriction by the retrolenticular mass in this case.     

Diffuse iris melanoma: a report of 25 cases

BACKGROUND: Diffuse iris melanoma is a rare variant of iris melanoma that has a flat growth pattern and often presents as unilateral hyperchromic heterochromia and glaucoma. There have been no large clinical reports of diffuse iris melanoma. DESIGN: Single-center retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five consecutive patients with diffuse iris melanoma. METHODS: A review of the clinical features, management, histopathologic analysis, and prognosis was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical features, histopathologic features, management, and prognosis. RESULTS: At the time of diagnosis, the mean patient age was 49 years. The initial complaint was unilateral darker eye color in 13 cases (52%) and blurred vision in 6 (24%). Six patients (24%) were symptom free. On presentation elsewhere, the initial diagnosis was iris melanoma or nevus in 11 cases (44%) and glaucoma in 14 (56%), 8 (32%) of whom had prior laser or surgical treatment for glaucoma. The 25 patients were observed for a mean of 30 months before the diagnosis of melanoma was suspected and referral to our center for evaluation. The mean intraocular pressure at referral was 36 mmHg, and the mean number of clock hours involved by tumor was 11. Heterochromia iridis was present in all 25 cases (100%), corectopia in 23 (92%), and ectropion iridis in 21 (84%). Associated findings included unilateral cataract in 8 (32%), a prominent episcleral (sentinel) vessel in 7 (28%), and anterior chamber inflammation in 5 (20%), and synechiae (anterior or posterior) in none. The tumor was managed by enucleation in 22 cases (88%) and by plaque brachytherapy in 3 (12%). Five cases (20%) were classified as spindle melanoma, 17 (68%) as mixed cell type, and 3 (12%) as epithelioid cell type. Therefore, histopathologic examination showed that 80% of cases contained epithelioid cells. All 22 enucleated cases were found to have tumor invasion in the trabecular meshwork. Tumor invasion of Schlemm's canal was found in 18 (82%), minor pars plicata in 12 (55%), and episclera in 7 cases (28%). Of seven cases with episcleral invasion, four underwent surgical treatment for glaucoma. Excluding one recent case, the patients were observed for a mean of 78 months. Liver metastasis developed in 3 cases (13%). CONCLUSIONS: Diffuse iris melanoma is a serious ocular condition that causes unilateral hyperchromic heterochromia and secondary glaucoma, often leading to a delay in diagnosis. Local invasion of adjacent ocular structures is common, and distant metastasis occurs in 13% of cases at mean follow-up of 78 months.     

Management des Radius-Maumenee-Syndroms

We describe the case of an 18-year-old female patient who presented with vasodilation of the episcleral vessels in both eyes. The dilated vessels were more prominent in the right eye and, furthermore, examination of the fundus oculi showed a glaucomatous excavation of the right optic disc. No underlying eye or systemic disease was found as the cause for the vasodilation, therefore, Radius-Maumenee syndrome (idiopathic dilated episcleral vessels with secondary open angle glaucoma) was diagnosed. Radius-Maumenee syndrome is a diagnosis by exclusion. If no underlying disease can be detected primary therapy of the glaucoma is required. Carotid cavernous fistulas as the most common cause for dilated episcleral vessels and elevated episcleral venous pressure should be ruled out. Due to the progression of the excavation and the pathologically elevated intraocular pressure in the right eye of our patient we decided to perform a deep sclerectomy in combination with viscocanalostomy and implantation of a collagen matrix. The operation and postoperative period were free from complications. Two months after the surgical procedure the right eye showed a normalized intraocular pressure of 7 mmHg but no morphological changes in terms of reduction of the vasodilation. In summary, deep sclerectomy in combination with viscocanalostomy and implantation of a collagen matrix showed good results in the reduction of intraocular eye pressure in Radius-Maumenee syndrome.     

Bilateral nonarteritic anterior ischemic neuropathy following acute angle-closure glaucoma in a patient with iridoschisis: case report

A 55-year-old woman was referred to our clinic because of a one-week history of visual loss and raised intraocular pressure in the left eye followed 4 days later by visual loss in the right eye. Slit-lamp examination showed bilateral conjunctival hyperemia, slight diffuse corneal edema, shallow anterior chamber and fixed and dilated pupil in both eyes. Splitting of the anterior layers of the iris with fibrillar degeneration extending for approximately one quadrant inferiorly was presented in each eye. Fundus examination showed optic disc edema with no vascular tortuosity and no cup in both eyes. The condition was treated as bilateral acute angle-closure glaucoma in a patient with irisdoschisis. After medical treatment and improvement of visual acuity, perimetry revealed a significant visual field defect especially in left eye; this case represents a rare concurrence of acute angle-closure glaucoma and bilateral nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy. Although most cases of elevated intraocular pressure, including acute angle-closure glaucoma, do not result in optic disc edema and irreversible vision loss, variations in the vascular supply of the nerve optic head along with others ocular systemic risk factors, may predispose certain individuals to nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy during periods of elevated intraocular pressure.     

Uveal effusion and angle-closure glaucoma in primary pulmonary hypertension

PURPOSE: To report a patient with uveal effusion and intermittent angle-closure glaucoma associated with primary pulmonary hypertension. METHODS: Observational case report. RESULTS: A 78-year-old woman with primary pulmonary hypertension noticed pain and decreased vision in her right eye. Ocular examination disclosed excessive dilation of conjunctival and episcleral veins and uveal effusion with annular ciliochoroidal detachment in both eyes. The right eye revealed corneal edema with folds in the Descemet membrane, congested iris vessels, and a markedly shallow anterior chamber with a partially closed angle, corresponding to a recent attack of angle-closure glaucoma. Systemic treatment of her congestive heart failure with an angiotensin-II receptor antagonist resulted in a partial resolution of the uveal effusion and complete normalization of the anterior chamber depth. CONCLUSION: Primary pulmonary hypertension may cause uveal effusion, leading to a forward displacement of the lens-iris diaphragm and intermittent angle-closure glaucoma.     

Orbital metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

PURPOSE. To describe a rare case of orbital metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. METHODS. A 63-year-old man presented with intermittent left-sided headache. This was initially attributed to angle-closure glaucoma and bilateral peripheral laser iridotomies were performed. One month later, he developed left periorbital swelling. On reviewing the history, it was noted that he had undergone surgery for esophageal carcinoma. CT scan revealed a soft tissue mass in the left orbit, which on biopsy showed histologic features of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. The patient died before palliative radiotherapy could be completed. DISCUSSION. Orbital metastasis from esophageal carcinoma is rare. In this case, the possibility of metastasis was overlooked at initial presentation, as there were no clinical signs to suggest it. Regardless of the primary tumor, the prognosis following orbital metastasis is poor. CONCLUSIONS. It is important to consider radiologic investigation when patients with systemic malignancy present with unexplained headache.     

Ocular metastases from transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary tract

We report the case of a 69-year-old man with a carcinoma of the breast who developed metastasis to the eye from transitional cell carcinomas in the urinary tract. Ocular metastasis from transitional cell carcinomas in the urinary bladder is extremely rare, and we have not found a report of ocular metastasis from a carcinoma of the ureter or renal pelvis. Although mammary carcinoma is the most common source for metastatic tumors to the eye, the histologic appearance of the metastatic tumor in the eye in the present case was typical of transitional carcinoma of urinary tract origin.The opinions and assertions contained herein are the private view of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Department of the Army or the Department of DefenseDr. Pe'er was a Fellow from the Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel     

Radioactive plaque therapy for metastatic choroidal carcinoma

PURPOSE: To describe the outcome of radioactive episcleral plaque therapy for treatment of metastatic carcinoma to the choroid. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Five patients (six eyes) with carcinoma metastatic to the choroid. METHODS: Retrospective review of the clinical records of five patients (six eyes) who underwent radioactive episcleral plaque therapy for choroidal metastases. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Tumor height, visual acuity, radiation optic neuropathy, and radiation retinopathy. RESULTS: Radioactive episcleral plaque therapy resulted in shrinkage of the treated tumors and resolution of subretinal fluid in all eyes. After plaque treatment, best-corrected visual acuity was maintained within two lines of initial visual acuity for two eyes, decreased more than two lines for one eye, and improved more than two lines in three eyes. The treatment was well tolerated and there was no acute toxicity. Late complications included optic nerve atrophy (at 2 years) with proliferative radiation retinopathy (at 3 years) in one eye and optic atrophy (at 6 months) in another eye that had received prior external beam therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In carefully selected cases, radioactive episcleral plaque therapy appears to be an effective and reasonable treatment for carcinoma metastatic to the choroid.     

Ciliary body metastasis as the first sign of small-cell bronchial carcinoma

BACKGROUND: About 3-10% of patients suffering from metastatic disease develop metastatic choroidal tumors. In this case report ocular symptoms were the first sign of a systemic malignancy. CASE REPORT: A 65-year old man complained of an increasing painful redness of his left eye. He showed a white mass with 10 mm in thickness in the temporal chamber angle with "pseudohypopyon" and secondary glaucoma. Because of increasing pain the eye was removed. Histologic examination showed a small cell carcinoma of the ciliary body with high malignancy, which most probably has to be seen as a metastasis of a carcinoma of the lung, which was detected by internal examination concurrently. In addition, a metastasis in the adrenal gland was found. ACE polychemotherapy was performed, but 4 months later the patient died of metastatic disease with break down of the kidneys. DISCUSSION: Based on literature data patients with systemic malignancy present themselves to a physician primarily because of ocular symptoms in 12-31%. In these cases differentiation of an uveal metastasis from a primary amelanotic melanoma can be difficult. The search for primary tumors has to be started in due time.