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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
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Cell-Free DNA Extraction of Vitreous and Aqueous Humor Specimens for Diagnosis and Monitoring of Vitreoretinal Lymphoma
Published on: January 12, 2024
Primary intraocular lymphoma: improving the diagnostic procedure
Anni Karma1, Eva O von Willebrand, Petri V Tommila
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. anni.karma@fimnet.fi
Ophthalmology
|February 28, 2007
Summary
Diagnosing primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL) is challenging. Proper vitreous sample handling and expert cytopathology are crucial for accurate PIOL diagnosis, especially in elderly patients with severe bilateral uveitis.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL) is a rare extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Delayed diagnosis of PIOL often leads to poor visual outcomes and systemic spread.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical features of PIOL.
- To evaluate cytochemical and immunocytochemical findings in vitreous specimens.
- To identify reasons for delayed PIOL diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 11 patients diagnosed with PIOL between 2000 and 2005.
- Analysis of clinical features, diagnostic workup, and vitreous biopsy findings.
- Comparison of diagnostic yield between alcohol-fixed and unfixed vitreous samples.
Main Results:
- The median age of patients was 61 years, with a median delay of 8 months from symptom onset to diagnosis.
- Severe bilateral vitreitis was a common clinical finding.
- Alcohol fixation of vitreous samples resulted in non-diagnostic results in 4 out of 12 biopsies.
Conclusions:
- Severe bilateral vitreitis in elderly patients is characteristic of PIOL.
- Alcohol fixation of vitreous specimens can hinder PIOL diagnosis.
- Optimal vitreous sample handling and expert cytopathological examination are critical for PIOL diagnosis.
