[Uveal metastasis of thyroid carcinomas. About 3 cases]

To study the characteristics of ocular metastases of thyroid carcinomas through three observations of patients.

Three patients aged respectively 41, 55 and 66 years were followed for thyroid carcinoma. All patients were treated by surgery followed by IRA therapy. They developed ocular metastases after a mean period of 10 years after thyroidectomy. They presented in addition multiple secondary sites such as bone, lungs and cerebrum. The uveal lesion was unilateral and localized at the choroid or iris. The predominant symptomatology was decreased visual acuity. The diagnosis was based on ophthalmoscopic examination and post-IRA therapy scan and was confirmed by anatomopathological study. Treatment options were respectively IRA therapy, sectoral iridectomy and enucleation. Evolution was fatal in 2 cases and towards aggravation for one case.

Uveal metastases of thyroid cancer are associated with a pejorative prognosis. Ophthalmologic follow-up is necessary when patient presents warning sign mainly with metastatic follicular carcinoma. Conversely, thyroid carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a uveal mass of unknown origin.