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Updated: Oct 7, 2026
Generation and Quantitative Characterization of Functional and Polarized Biliary Epithelial Cysts
Published on: May 16, 2020
Primary cysts in the iridociliary sulcus: ultrasound biomicroscopic features of 210 cases
1Department of Ophthalmology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ont.
Background:
Primary cysts occur spontaneously, whereas secondary cysts arise following surgical or nonsurgical injury and can lead to further complications. We performed a study to observe and characterize primary iridociliary cysts through the examination of ultrasound biomicroscopic (UBM) images from affected patients.
Methods:
The UBM images from 210 patients were analysed and the characteristics of each cyst were observed and recorded. The patients had been examined and received the diagnosis of iridociliary cysts between 1990 and early 1998 at a major referral centre for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in Toronto.
Results:
Of the 210 cysts 169 (80%) occurred in isolation, and the remainder occurred in the presence of a tumour. The mean horizontal diameter of the isolated cysts was 1.72 mm, and the mean vertical diameter was 1.04 mm. Isolated cysts were solitary in 101 cases (60%) and showed multiple loculations in 68 (40%). Solitary cysts were slightly larger than those with multiple loculations. Isolated cysts were associated with markedly narrowed or closed angles locally in 110 cases (65%).
Interpretation:
Primary iridociliary cysts are common and need to be differentiated from iris and ciliary body tumours. UBM is a definitive method of diagnosing these lesions. Cysts can cause localized angle closure but rarely cause clinical complications. Cysts associated with anterior segment tumours may give an erroneous impression as to tumour size.
