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Benign lymphoid infiltrate of the iris simulating a malignant melanoma
Mithlesh C Sharma1, Carol L Shields, Jerry A Shields
1Oncology Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
Purpose:
To report a clinicopathologic correlation of an unusual benign lymphocytic iris mass in a patient who had no systemic lymphoproliferative disease.
Methods:
Case report.
Results:
A 49-year-old man developed a circumscribed, tan lesion in his left iris. The lesion was suspected clinically to be an atypical iris melanoma. Histopathologic studies of the resected mass revealed a solid tumor that was comprised of lymphocytes and histiocytes. Immunohistochemical studies identified that most of the cells were T lymphocytes. The histopathologic diagnosis was atypical lymphoid infiltrate. Workup for systemic lymphoma and Epstein-Barr virus infection was negative.
Conclusion:
Lymphoid infiltrate can manifest as a solitary mass that can simulate an iris melanoma.

