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Ciliary body melanoma masquerading as chronic uveitis
1Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114, USA.
Ocular Immunology and Inflammation
|January 30, 1999
Summary
Ciliary body melanoma can mimic chronic uveitis and glaucoma. Prompt diagnosis and proton beam irradiation resolved the patient's symptoms and intraocular pressure.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Oncology
Background:
- Ciliary body melanoma is a rare intraocular tumor.
- It can present with varied clinical signs, sometimes mimicking inflammatory conditions.
Observation:
- A patient presented with persistent unilateral panuveitis and elevated intraocular pressure, unresponsive to initial treatments.
- Diagnostic vitrectomy was inconclusive, and symptoms worsened post-cataract surgery.
Findings:
- Repeat vitrectomy and lens removal identified a ciliary body mass consistent with melanoma.
- Ultrasonography and expert evaluation confirmed the diagnosis.
- Proton beam irradiation successfully treated the melanoma, resolving uveitis and normalizing intraocular pressure.
Implications:
- Ciliary body melanoma should be considered in refractory uveitis and glaucoma cases.
- Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective management.
- Proton beam therapy offers a viable treatment option for ciliary body melanoma.