Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma with intraocular involvement

To report the clinicopathologic features of a patient with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma of the conjunctiva and associated intraocular involvement.

This study is a retrospective clinicopathologic correlative case report summarizing the clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic findings of a patient with conjunctival MALT lymphoma and associated intraocular involvement.

Ophthalmic examination and fluorescein angiography demonstrated progressive conjunctival infiltration bilaterally, marked uveal effusions in the left eye, and cellular white infiltrates of the choroid in the right eye. MRI of the orbit revealed a diffusely infiltrating intra- and extraocular lesion extending around the globe and optic nerve in the left eye without evidence of intracranial extension. Conjunctival biopsy showed low-grade tumor cells, consistent with the diagnosis of MALT lymphoma. The patient was successfully treated with external beam radiation with marked clinical improvement.

Conjunctival MALT lymphomas, typically indolent and localized tumors, may extend into the orbit and invade local tissues such as the choroid with devastating consequences. A conjunctival biopsy can provide an easy diagnosis of this treatable entity.