Ocular surface foreign bodies: novel findings mimicking ocular malignant melanoma.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Malignant melanoma of the eye is an uncommon condition that is important to recognise. We describe three cases in which ocular foreign bodies have masqueraded as ocular malignant melanoma.

METHODS:

Interventional case reports.

RESULTS:

Case 1 describes diathermy-induced carbon particle implantation, during plaque therapy for the treatment of uveal melanoma, mimicking recurrence with extra-scleral invasion. Case 2 shows a foreign body called 'mullite' mimicking conjunctival melanoma. Case 3 demonstrates a conjunctival foreign body called 'illite' that mimicked a limbal melanocytic lesion, clinically thought to be either melanocytoma or melanoma.

CONCLUSION:

This report highlights the importance of careful history taking, examination, and appropriate biopsy in cases of suspected malignant melanoma, to prevent unnecessary and potentially radical treatment.

• Authors: A Maudgil, B E Wagner, P Rundle, I G Rennie, H S Mudhar
• Journal: Eye (London, England) (Eye (Lond)) Vol. 28 Issue 11 Pg. 1370-4 (Nov 2014) ISSN: 1476-5454 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25104745 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Aluminum Silicates
• Minerals
• illite
• aluminosilicate
• Carbon

Topics

• Adult
• Aluminum Silicates (analysis)
• Carbon (analysis)
• Conjunctiva (chemistry, injuries)
• Conjunctival Neoplasms (diagnosis)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Eye Foreign Bodies (diagnosis)
• Eye Injuries (diagnosis)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Melanoma (diagnosis)
• Middle Aged
• Minerals (analysis)
• Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission
• Wounds, Nonpenetrating (diagnosis)