Massive retinal gliosis: a late complication of retinal detachment surgery

Massive retinal gliosis is a rare, benign, intraocular tumor. It develops mostly in long-standing ocular disease such as chronic inflammation, vascular disorders, glaucoma, trauma, or congenital abnormalities. We report on a case of massive retinal gliosis, which developed 17 years following retinal detachment surgery.

Case report.

A 64-year-old woman developed a peripheral fundus tumor 17 years after successful retinal detachment surgery. Follow-up examination demonstrated growth of the mass. The tumor was treated by pars plana vitrectomy and local endoresection. Histopathological study revealed massive reactive gliosis of the retina.

To our knowledge, this is the first histopathologically proven case of a massive retinal gliosis, which developed after a non-drainage retinal detachment surgery. Endoresection is a therapeutic option in suspected massive retinal gliosis. It provides material for histological diagnosis which obviates unnecessary intervention in a functioning eye.