Case of metastatic pulmonary carcinoma in optic disc diagnosed from results of biopsy performed during vitrectomy surgery.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Most intraocular metastatic tumors occur in the uveal tract, while isolated metastasis to the optic nerve is rarely found. We report a case of metastasis to the optic disc from primary lung cancer, diagnosed from biopsy findings obtained during a vitrectomy.

PATIENT AND METHODS:

A 69-year-old male presented with gradual visual impairment due to a milky white tumour that extended from the optic disc into the vitreous cavity. A systemic examination revealed primary squamous cell lung cancer.

RESULTS:

A biopsy specimen was obtained from the optic disc tumor during a vitrectomy, which led to a diagnosis of metastasis from lung cancer. Despite courses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the patient died of brain metastasis.

DISCUSSION:

There are few reports of secondary optic disc tumors and pathological biopsy findings are rare. When a milky white tumor is observed extending from the optic disc, a possible differential diagnosis is metastatic neoplasm.

• Authors: Reina Fukuda, Tatsuro Tanabe, Hiromasa Sawamura, Mikiko Kawata, Hideki Tsuji, Toshikatsu Kaburaki
• Journal: Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie (Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol) Vol. 249 Issue 12 Pg. 1883-7 (Dec 2011) ISSN: 1435-702X [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 21845391 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Aged
• Biopsy
• Brain Neoplasms (secondary)
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (secondary)
• Fatal Outcome
• Fluorescein Angiography
• Humans
• Lung Neoplasms (pathology)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Optic Disk (pathology)
• Optic Nerve Neoplasms (secondary)
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• Visual Acuity
• Vitrectomy