Malignant transformation of a necrotic melanocytoma of the choroid in an amblyopic eye

Ann Ophthalmol. 1994 Mar-Apr;26(2):42-6.

Abstract

A 26-year-old man presented with an insidious loss of vision OD. He had amblyopia OD as a child secondary to congenital esotropia. Ophthalmic examination revealed a large mass beneath his right retina near the posterior pole. He also had glaucoma and a rapidly developing cataract. Ultrasound detected a choroidal mass, which was consistent with a melanoma. The patient chose enucleation over radiation therapy as his treatment modality. Pathologic evaluation of the tumor revealed a necrotic melanocytoma with a large malignant melanoma arising from its center that was comprised mainly of epithelioid cells. Malignant melanoma arising in a necrotic melanocytoma is an extremely rare event, and we believe this to be the first description of this event in a young patient with an amblyopic eye.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amblyopia / etiology*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / pathology*
  • Choroid Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Choroid Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Esotropia / complications
  • Esotropia / congenital
  • Eye Enucleation
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Melanoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Melanoma / pathology*
  • Nevus, Pigmented / diagnostic imaging
  • Nevus, Pigmented / pathology*
  • Ultrasonography