Massive coats disease-like tumor after retinal detachment

To describe two patients with peripheral Coats disease-like tumor reaction years after surgical repair for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Retrospective review of two clinical cases.

Patient 1 presented with visual deterioration caused by a retinal angiomatous tumor and lipid exudates originating from telangiectatic vessels on the scleral buckle 8 years after vitrectomy and encircling band surgery for a giant retinal tear. In Patient 2, a vascularized retinal mass was detected during vitrectomy for a vitreous hemorrhage 24 years after scleral buckling procedures. Both patients were highly myopic and had no history of scleral perforation or angiomatous proliferation before surgery. They underwent vitrectomy and removal of the vascularized tumor. Histologic examination revealed wide lacunae filled with erythrocytes, connective tissue strands with inflammatory cells, and capillaries that showed thickened multilamellar basement membranes.

Secondary Coats disease-like tumor reaction may occur as a late complication years after successful retinal detachment surgery and may be caused by a chronic ischemic and inflammatory stimulus induced by prominent buckling elements in highly myopic eyes.