Conjunctival biopsy of anophthalmic socket in sarcoidosis

Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2005 Mar;21(2):163-4. doi: 10.1097/01.iop.0000155851.68195.8c.

Abstract

A case of sarcoidosis was diagnosed by a random conjunctival biopsy from an anophthalmic socket. A 22-year-old black female patient presented with anterior and posterior uveitis and subconjunctival nodules in the left eye. Her right eye was enucleated due to a penetrating injury 3 years before admission. Biopsy of subconjunctival nodules in the left eye failed to demonstrate granulomatous inflammation; however, a random conjunctival biopsy from the normal-appearing anophthalmic socket conjunctiva revealed noncaseating granulomas. Conjunctival biopsy is a safe, cost-effective means of diagnosis in sarcoidosis suspects. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of sarcoidosis confirmed with random conjunctival biopsy from an anophthalmic socket.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anophthalmos / pathology*
  • Biopsy
  • Conjunctiva / pathology*
  • Conjunctival Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Eye Enucleation*
  • Eye Injuries, Penetrating / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Sarcoidosis / diagnosis*
  • Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / diagnosis