Oculocerebral non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with uveal involvement: development of an epibulbar tumor after vitrectomy

Arch Ophthalmol. 2000 Oct;118(10):1437-40. doi: 10.1001/archopht.118.10.1437.

Abstract

Primary ocular lymphoma is the ocular manifestation of primary oculocerebral non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. We describe a 79-year-old woman with a 7-year history of bilateral uveitis and subsequent central nervous system lymphomas. Repeated diagnostic vitrectomy during the following 5 years failed to demonstrate intraocular lymphoma cells. Within 9 months after the second vitrectomy, an epibulbar tumor developed in the limbal region of the left eye at the site of the sclerotomy. The eye, blind and painful due to secondary angle-closure glaucoma, was enucleated. Histopathologically, the globe showed a diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma extending from the ciliary body outward through the sclerotomy. We conclude that, following vitrectomy, a primary ocular lymphoma may extend through the sclerotomy lesion and present as an epibulbar tumor. Uveal involvement may occur in oculocerebral non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Ciliary Body / pathology*
  • Conjunctival Neoplasms / etiology
  • Conjunctival Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Eye Enucleation
  • Female
  • Glaucoma, Angle-Closure / etiology
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / etiology
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / pathology*
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / etiology
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / pathology*
  • Sclerostomy
  • Uveal Neoplasms / etiology
  • Uveal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Uveitis, Anterior / complications
  • Uveitis, Anterior / surgery
  • Vitrectomy / adverse effects*