Bilateral lacrimal gland disease: clinical features of 97 cases.

OBJECTIVE: Bilateral lacrimal gland (LG) disease is a unique presentation that can result from varied causes. We reviewed the diagnoses, clinical features, and outcomes of 97 patients with this entity. DESIGN: Case series. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-seven patients with bilateral LG disease. METHODS: Retrospective review and statistical analysis using analysis of variance and the Fisher exact test. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient demographics, clinical features, diagnostic testing, diagnosis, and treatment. RESULTS: Patient age ranging from 8 to 84 years (mean, 46 years). The predominant gender was female (77%), and race included black (49%), white (38%), and Hispanic (12%) patients. Diagnoses fell into 4 categories: inflammatory (n = 51; 53%), structural (n = 20; 21%), lymphoproliferative (n = 19; 20%), and uncommon (n = 7; 7%) entities. The most common diagnoses included idiopathic orbital inflammation (IOI; n = 29; 30%), sarcoidosis (n = 19; 20%), prolapsed LG (n = 15; 15%), lymphoma (n = 11; 11%), lymphoid hyperplasia (n = 8; 8%), and dacryops (n = 5; 5%). Inflammatory conditions were more likely in younger patients (P<0.05) and in those with pain (P<0.001) and mechanical blepharoptosis (P<0.01) at presentation, whereas lymphoma was more common in older patients (P<0.001) without active signs of inflammation at presentation. Black patients were more likely to have sarcoidosis (P<0.01). Laboratory results showed high angiotensin converting enzyme level being significantly more likely in patients with sarcoidosis (P<0.05). However, sensitivity was limited to 45%, with 25% of patients diagnosed with IOI also demonstrating positive results. Corticosteroid therapy was the treatment of choice in 38 cases, corresponding to resolution of symptoms in 29% and improvement in an additional 32%. Overall, chronic underlying disease was found in 71% of patients, among whom 26% achieved a disease-free state, whereas 3% succumbed to their underlying disease. CONCLUSIONS: The cause of bilateral lacrimal gland disease most commonly was inflammatory, followed by structural and lymphoproliferative. Patient characteristics and clinical presentations were key features distinguishing between competing possibilities. Despite local control with corticosteroids or radiotherapy, underlying disease continued in 71% of patients and led to death in 3%.

EXTRAOCULAR EXTENSION OF CILIOCHOROIDAL MELANOMA AFTER TRANSSCLERAL FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION BIOPSY.

PURPOSE: To describe development of extraocular extension of ciliochoroidal melanoma after transscleral fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) for cytogenetic studies. METHODS: Transscleral FNAB was performed for cytogenetic analysis of melanoma using a long 27-gauge needle attached to a 10-mL syringe by connector tubing entering obliquely through the sclera overlying the tumor base. An iodine 125 radioactive plaque was immediately applied to the sclera over the tumor and biopsy site after FNAB. PATIENTS: One patient with large ciliochoroidal melanoma of the right eye. RESULTS: Cytogenetic analysis of the melanoma revealed monosomy of chromosome 3. On examination, 18 months after plaque radiotherapy, there was regression of the tumor; however, a few small subepithelial pigmented lesions were noted in the conjunctiva close to the FNAB site. Excisional biopsy of the conjunctival pigmented lesions with 3 mm margins and with supplemental cryotherapy to the surrounding conjunctival margins and to the underlying sclera was performed. Histopathologic evaluation showed an oval nodule composed of a mixture of spindle and epithelioid cells deep within the substantia propria consistent with extraocular extension of uveal melanoma. Magnetic resonance imaging of the orbits showed no evidence of orbital involvement. This is the only case of extraocular extension developing among 408 consecutive transscleral biopsies (0.2%) performed at our center for cytogenetic or cytopathologic analysis. CONCLUSION: Although rare, transscleral FNAB of ciliochoroidal melanoma can lead to extraocular extension of the tumor through the biopsy site. Possible techniques to reduce the risk of this problem are discussed.