Pigmented Choroidal Metastases Masquerading as Choroidal Melanoma

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report the first case of pigmented choroidal metastases without enucleation diagnosed with fine-needle aspiration biopsy. CASE SUMMARY: A 47-year-old male was referred to our clinic with a suspected diagnosis of choroidal melanoma in his left eye. Positron emission tomography-computer tomography used to evaluate systemic metastases revealed lung cancer. Pathology of the detected lung mass was primary lung neuroendocrine tumor. To differentiate choroidal metastasis and primary choroidal melanoma, we performed a fine-needle aspiration biopsy for choroidal tumors. The cytology showed results favoring metastatic atypical carcinoid and the patient was started on systemic chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: All pigmented choroidal tumors are not choroidal melanomas and choroidal metastases may be pigmented. The present case suggests that proper systemic evaluation and biopsy for suspected choroidal tumor could be helpful in diagnosis.