Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 30, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancing VRL Diagnosis Using Cell-Free DNA Extraction from Vitreous Humor
Published on: January 12, 2024
Primary Vitreoretinal Lymphoma Masquerading as Refractory Retinitis
Ofira Zloto1, Amir E Abd Elkader1, Ido Didi Fabian1
1The Goldschleger Eye Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, and The Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Purpose:
To report a case of a patient with primary vitreoretinal lymphoma masquerading as retinitis.
Methods:
Retrospective review of the patient's clinical, histopathological and imaging records.
Results:
Cytopathology was negative for malignancy, and preliminary polymerase chain reaction results supported the diagnosis of varicella zoster virus retinitis. Therefore, the patient was treated with antiviral therapy. However, under this treatment, the retinitis progressed. As a result, primary vitreoretinal lymphoma was suspected, and empirical treatment with intravitreal methotrexate injections was started. Under this treatment, the ocular features improved. Five months after initial ocular presentation and ocular resolution, the patient presented with central nervous system lymphoma.
Conclusion:
This case should raise the awareness of the variable clinical presentations, the challenging diagnosis and treatment of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma. All cases should be continuously systemically evaluated.
