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A 68-year-old male with a previous history of 3 dysplastic skin nevi was referred to ophthalmology for a 1-year history of a progressive growth of a firm nodule in the lower left eyelid. Examination revealed a firm nodule in the inferior anterior orbit and mild conjunctival pigmentation on the left inferior fornix. A conjunctival incisional biopsy was taken, showing a melanoma. Because of the infiltration by the mass of the orbit on magnetic resonance imaging, an exenteration was performed. Histopathological analysis showed a unique conjunctival melanoma showing morphological diversity; specifically, a pattern characteristic of conjunctival melanoma, and the concurrent presence of staghorn patterns, signet-ring cells, and rosettoid patterns. Seven years of follow-up shows that the patient is alive with no further metastasis or recurrence. This report represents the first documented case of multiple morphologic patterns within a conjunctival melanoma.

Background: Breast metastasis is fairly uncommon and prognosis is dismal. Breast metastasis might be the first symptom or may occur during the course of other malignancies dominantly arising from the contralateral breast. Leukemia, lung cancer and conjunctival melanoma may spread to the breast., Case Presentation: A 43-year-old female patient was operated on for conjunctival melanoma. After two years the disease progressed quickly and cutaneous nodes appeared on the back and paraumbilical region. Physical and radiological examination showed a breast mass. No palpable lymph's nodes were noted. She underwent an open biopsy. Histopathologic examination and immunohistochemistry confirmed breast metastases from melanoma. During post-operative staging multiple nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal lesions were also objective. The patient was given palliative dacarbazine (250 mg/m2 per day for 4 days) for 4 cycles. She died 4 months after the diagnosis of breast metastases., Conclusion: Histopathological evaluation should be mandatory in patients with medical history of malignancies in order to differentiate new primary tumors, metastases, and benign tumors.

Importance: Immunohistochemical analyses may assist in the diagnosis of precancerous and cancerous conjunctival lesions., Objective: To use Vector Red (VR) to identify an immunologic marker that is sensitive for all melanocytes and another that is sensitive and specific for activated and/or atypical conjunctival melanocytic lesions (MLs)., Design, Setting, and Participants: Eight specimens each of control lesions (normal conjunctiva and normal uvea as well as choroidal melanoma) and 8 from the diagnostic categories (conjunctival nevus, primary acquired melanosis with mild or no atypia, primary acquired melanosis with moderate to severe atypia, and conjunctival melanoma) that provided sufficient quantity and quality of tissue were available for processing. The specimens were obtained from the Ophthalmic Pathology Laboratory, The Ottawa Hospital, from 2005 to 2013. The specimens were immunolabeled with human melanoma black 45 (HMB45), melanoma antigen recognized by T cells 1 (Melan-A), S100, and Ki67 using VR and a double panmelanoma cocktail (dPANMEL) using 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB) and VR. The HMB45-immunolabeled specimens were additionally developed with DAB, with and without overnight bleaching with hydrogen peroxide, 4%. Data were collected by 2 pathologists who were masked to sample grouping., Main Outcomes and Measures: Differentiation between benign and malignant MLs based on immunomarker profile., Results: Immunoreactivity was best visualized in specimens with VR. Melan-A labeled all melanocytes (100% sensitivity; panmelanocyte marker) without discriminating between benign and malignant lesions (0% specificity). Atypical melanocytes were most specifically labeled with HMB45 (96% specificity, 97% sensitivity; atypia marker). In primary acquired melanosis specimens, we found that the percentage of HMB45 (P < .001), S100 (P < .001), and Ki67 (P ≤ .02) positivity increased significantly with worsening atypia., Conclusions and Relevance: We recommend VR, which rarely requires specimen bleaching, as the standard substrate for immunohistochemical analysis of conjunctival MLs. We found Melan-A and HMB45 to best characterize MLs. In conjunctival MLs, the use of VR with Melan-A and HMB45 provides substantial sensitivity for all melanocytes and for atypical melanocytes, respectively, and reduces specimen-processing time for laboratories performing immunohistochemistry on MLs.

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of adipophilin immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of sebaceous carcinoma of the ocular adnexal region and to provide the guidelines for interpretation of this immunostain., Design: Retrospective, histopathologic case series., Participants: A total of 25 patients with sebaceous carcinoma, 21 patients with basal cell carcinoma, 22 patients with conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma, 9 patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, and 5 patients with conjunctival mucoepidermoid carcinoma., Methods: Immunohistochemical staining for adipophilin was performed on paraffin-embedded tissues and correlated with hematoxylin-eosin, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), and mucicarmine-stained preparations. Immunostaining was quantified by light microscopy and with a computerized image analysis system of scanned images. Statistical analysis was performed to compare immunostaining patterns within the tumor categories by stage and grade, between the different neoplasms, and for correlation between light microscopy observations and computerized image analysis., Main Outcome Measures: Localization of adipophilin immunostain, intensity of immunostaining, percent of immunoreactive cells, percentages of vacuolar staining and granular staining, and vacuole size., Results: Adipophilin expression was observed in 100% of sebaceous carcinomas, 100% of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas, 95% of basal cell carcinomas, 73% of conjunctival squamous cell carcinomas, and 60% of mucoepidermoid carcinomas. Sebaceous carcinomas demonstrated significantly stronger adipophilin expression, a greater number of intracytoplasmic vacuoles, and larger vacuoles. The specificity and sensitivity of adipophilin immunostaining in the diagnosis of sebaceous carcinoma were both 100% when more than 5% of the staining occurred in vacuoles (<95% granular staining). The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 96%, respectively, when the staining was graded as moderately or strongly intense and were 92% and 85% when the vacuoles were greater than 1.5 μm in diameter., Conclusions: Although upregulation of neoplastic steatogenesis is observed in both sebaceous and nonsebaceous carcinomas, the pattern and intensity of adipophilin immunostaining are helpful in distinguishing sebaceous carcinoma from other neoplasms with overlapping histology., (Copyright © 2014 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

An 84-year-old man presented with a tumor of the right caruncle causing epiphora due to insufficient eyelid closure. The tumor was cystic and mucinous in appearance. MRI showed a solitary tumor of the caruncle with no adhesions to neighboring tissue. The mass was removed by carunculectomy. Histopathologic examination revealed a tumor composed of epithelial cells with intervening strands of hyalinized stroma. Solid areas were predominant but a cribriform area could also be distinguished. Periodic acid-Schiff positive, diastase-labile material (glycogen) was detected in many tumor cells. Immunohistochemical staining of the tumor cells demonstrated positive staining with antibodies against CK-CAM 5.2, BER-EP4, p63, and smooth muscle actin-positive cells in some areas. The tumor was diagnosed as a nodular hidradenoma of the caruncle, which has never been reported before and should be included in the diagnoses of caruncular tumors.

Here we describe the case of a 65-year-old Caucasian female who presented with an amelanotic malignant conjunctival melanoma and highlight the clinical and pathological features of this rare entity that displayed exclusive corneal invasive growth without evidence of conjunctival tumors other than primary acquired melanosis. Impression cytology aided in the initial diagnosis. The patient underwent surgical treatment. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry revealed an invasive amelanotic melanoma limited to the cornea and exhibiting S-100, Melan A, and HMB-45 positivity. The absence of pigmentation delayed early clinical detection and treatment. Awareness of this nonpigmented melanoma is important for early recognition and appropriate management.

Purpose: To report the application of a novel imaging technique, pump-probe microscopy, to analyze patterns of pigment chemistry of conjunctival melanocytic lesion biopsies., Methods: Histopathologic specimens of eight previously excised conjunctival melanocytic lesions were analyzed with pump-probe microscopy. The technique uses a laser scanning microscope with a two-color pulsed laser source to distinguish hemoglobin, eumelanin, and pheomelanin pigment based on differences in transient excited state and ground state photodynamics. The pump-probe signatures of conjunctival melanins were compared with cutaneous melanins. The distributions of hemoglobin, eumelanin, and pheomelanin were analyzed, and pump-probe images were correlated with adjacent hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained sections., Results: The pump-probe signatures of conjunctival melanins are similar, but not identical to cutaneous melanins. In addition, there are qualitative and quantitative differences in the structure and pigment chemistry of conjunctival benign nevi, primary acquired melanosis of the conjunctiva (PAM), and conjunctival melanomas. The pump-probe images correlated well with histopathologic features observed in the adjacent H&E-stained sections, and provided a label-free means of discerning conjunctival anatomic features and pathologic benign or malignant tissue., Conclusions: Pump-probe laser microscopy shows promise as an adjuvant diagnostic tool in evaluation of ocular melanocytic lesions based on morphologic correlation with the histopathology results and pigment chemistry. This initial study suggests systematic differences in pigmentation patterns among conjunctival benign nevi, primary acquired melanosis, and melanomas. In addition, pump-probe microscopy has the potential for use as a noninvasive "in vivo" optical biopsy technique to aid clinical and surgical management of conjunctival melanocytic lesions.

Purpose: To evaluate clinicopathologically and immunohistochemically a spectrum of conjunctival squamous proliferations., Design: Retrospective clinicopathologic study., Methods: One large cell acanthoma, 7 epidermoid dysplasias, and 4 squamous papillomas were evaluated with microscopy and biomarkers Ki-67, p53, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), Ber-EP4, AE1, AE3, and 8 individual cytokeratins. Normal associated conjunctiva served as a baseline for interpretation., Results: The large cell acanthoma recurred 4 times but retained its benign histopathologic features. The cells were 2-3 times larger than the keratinocytes of the normal conjunctiva and did not display atypia. Immunohistochemistry revealed a low Ki-67 proliferation index (PI) in the large cell acanthoma compared with high indices in dysplasias and papillomas. p53 was negative in the nuclei of normal epithelium while positive in all neoplasms, most intensely in the dysplasias. Immunostaining showed similar staining patterns for cytokeratins in large cell acanthoma and normal conjunctiva, except for full-thickness CK14 positivity and CK7 negativity in the lesion. Dysplasias generally lost normal CK7 expression and frequently abnormally expressed CK17. The papillomas displayed a normal cytokeratin pattern but exhibited a higher than normal PI and weak p53 positivity., Conclusions: Conjunctival large cell acanthoma is a morphologically distinctive clonal entity with clinical and immunohistochemical phenotypic characteristics denoting a dysplasia of minimal severity. Because of recurrences without invasion, it requires treatment. Dysplasias exhibited more deviant biomarker abnormalities including frequent aberrant full-thickness CK17 positivity and CK7 negativity. The absence of major cytokeratin derangements in the squamous papillomas may be of ancillary diagnostic value for lesions displaying borderline cytologic features., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Melanocytic nevi are the most common tumors of the conjunctiva, accounting for 28% of all neoplastic lesions. These tumors, despite their benign behavior, share some atypical histological features with nevi found in other anatomic sites like the genital and acral regions, globally designated as nevi with site-related atypia. Moreover, in children and adolescents, rapidly growing conjunctival nevi show sometimes worrisome histological patterns in association with a prominent inflammatory infiltrate that may lead to diagnostic problems. In this paper we describe a juvenile compound nevus characterized by marked melanocytic atypia and severe inflammation, which can be considered a rare case of juvenile conjunctival atypical nevus. The final diagnosis relied on morphological and immunohistochemical characterization of the large epithelioid melanocytic cells, and on the results of FISH analysis., Virtual Slides: The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/2973228795724608.

Purpose: To characterize the clinicopathological features of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the ocular adnexal region., Methods: The present series of orbital and adnexal DLBCLs were found by searching the Danish Registry of Pathology between 1980 and 2009. Histological specimens were re-evaluated using a panel of monoclonal antibodies. Clinical files from all patients with confirmed DLBCL were collected., Results: A total of 34 patients with DLBCL of the ocular adnexal region were identified. Eighteen of the patients were men. The patients had a median age of 78 years (range 35-97 years). Ninety-seven per cent of the patients had unilateral ocular adnexal region involvement, and the orbit (76%) was the most frequently affected site. Nineteen patients (56%) presented with Stage I lymphoma. Of these, 18 were diagnosed with primary lymphoma. Four patients (12%) had Stage II, one patient (3%) had Stage III and ten patients (29%) presented with Stage IV lymphoma. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate for the whole study group was 20%. The patients with Stage I lymphoma had a significantly better 5-year OS rate (28%) than patients in Stage II-IV (5-year OS rate, 9%). In Cox regression analysis, concordant bone marrow involvement and the International Prognostic Index (IPI) score were prognostic factors for OS., Conclusions: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the ocular adnexal region is mainly prevalent in elderly patients. Most patients had unilateral orbital involvement. The overall prognosis is poor. Concordant bone marrow involvement and the IPI score were independent prognostic factors for mortality., (© 2012 The Authors. Acta Ophthalmologica © 2012 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation.)

The current case of conjunctival mucoepidermoid carcinoma offers features that expand the biologic spectrum afforded by this tumor. More focused strategies should be developed for its earlier histopathologic diagnosis and improved management (historical recurrence rate of 85%). A 63-year-old woman with a history of rheumatoid arthritis and idiopathic sclerosing cholangitis developed scleral thinning, anterior chamber cells and flare, and uveal prolapse. Biopsies of the epibulbar lesion were initially misinterpreted as a squamous cell carcinoma but on review harbored CK7-positive cells and contained rare goblet cells brought out with Alcian blue and mucicarmine staining. Intraocular extension exhibited micro-and macrocysts with minimal goblet cells. Focal CK7 immunopositivity in any epibulbar squamous dysplasia or in invasive carcinoma should lead to suspicion of a mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Behaviorally aggressive or rapidly recurrent epithelial squamous tumors with "inflammatory" features or unusual clinical characteristics should be initially stained at multiple levels for the detection of parsimonious mucus secretion. Surgical options include wide excision and partial sclerectomy with cryotherapy for superficial invasion and/or interferon therapy. Results with radiotherapy and cryotherapy for deep scleral invasion have been unpredictable or unacceptable compared with surgery., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To describe the clinical, histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural features of a case series of benign stromal tumors in the bulbar conjunctiva., Design: Observational case series., Participants: Four patients with a conjunctival lesion that were classified histologically as low-grade stromal tumors consisting of spindle-shaped cells with occasional pseudonuclear inclusion and multinucleated cells in a partly myxoid matrix., Methods: Four cases of low-grade conjunctival stromal tumors were retrospectively identified in an ophthalmic pathology laboratory database. Patients' records were analyzed for demographic data, clinical appearance, and the postoperative course. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens were routinely processed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid Schiff. Immunohistochemical stains for vimentin, S100, CD34, smooth muscle actin (SMA), CD68, and factor XIIIa were performed. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was performed on 3 of the cases., Main Outcome Measures: Histopathologic evaluation (including immunostains and TEM) and clinical correlation., Results: All 4 tumors occurred in the bulbar conjunctiva of patients between 41 to 53 years of age. None of the patients developed recurrence after excisional biopsy. Histologically, all tumors exhibited spindle-shaped cells with pseudonuclear inclusions and occasional multinuclear cells. Mitotic figures were not observed. The stroma seemed to be myxoid to collagenous. Immunohistochemical stains were positive for CD34, vimentin, and focally for CD68, but were negative for S100 and SMA., Conclusions: We propose to classify these benign lesions, which share distinct histopathologic features, as "conjunctival stromal tumors." A reactive/inflammatory component needs to be considered in the pathogenesis of this lesion., (Copyright © 2012 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective/method: The aim of this study was to assess the importance of immunohistochemical markers in the diagnosis of pigmented conjunctival lesions. Due to the difficulty of making an exact clinical diagnosis, the suspicion of malignancy requires the removal of the lesion and performing a histopathology study in which immunohistochemical markers may help to determine the nature of the lesion., Cases Report/discussion: A case is presented of a 25 year-old woman with a pigmented lesion in the caruncle. It appeared recently and was growing fast with increasing pigmentation. Due to a suspicion of malignancy, the total lesion was removed. The microscopic study revealed cellular alterations which suggested malignancy. However, after carrying out immunohistochemical markers the diagnosis was conjunctival compound nevus., (Copyright © 2010 Sociedad Española de Oftalmología. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

A 7-year-old Caucasian girl presented with a pigmented lesion on the left bulbar conjunctiva that increased in size from 1 mm to 4 mm over a 12-month period. She underwent excision biopsy and reconstruction of the ocular surface with amniotic membrane graft. Histopathology showed the naevus was composed of somewhat swollen naevus cells with clear cytoplasm and central nucleus. These vacuolated naevus cells were approximately 40 µm in diameter. Over 90% of the cells in the naevus were composed of these swollen cells. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for S100 and Melan-A. This case illustrates that balloon cells may be observed in conjunctival naevi at a previously unreported pre-pubescent age. Awareness of ballon cell naevus is important to avoid clinical and histological pitfalls in diagnosis., (© 2010 The Authors. Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology © 2010 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.)

Conjunctival dermoid cysts are a rare subtype of dermoid cyst usually presenting in adulthood. The authors report a case of a recurrent conjunctival dermoid cyst with reactive lymphoid hyperplasia that was immunohistochemically demonstrated to be polyclonal. Follicular centers that were present within the cyst wall were negative for Bcl-2 and positive for the immunohistochemical markers CD20, Bcl-6, CD10, and Ki67, which helped to differentiate the lesion from a follicular lymphoma. The lesion did not recur after 14 months of follow-up.

Purpose: To describe a rare case of primary conjunctival clear cell carcinoma., Methods: The clinical history and pathologic findings were reviewed., Results: An 82-year-old white man presented with a lesion on his right conjunctiva for 8 months. An excisional biopsy was performed with wide margins and mitomycin C. Pathologic examination showed a papillary clear cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva. The patient has been followed for 6 months without recurrence., Conclusions: Primary clear cell carcinoma, a variant of squamous cell carcinoma, can occur in the conjunctiva.

Lymphoma is the most frequent malignant tumor of the ocular adnexa with the most common histologic type being extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (EMZL) of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma). Here we report a case of a 28 year-old male who presented with a left conjunctival mass of one year duration. A diagnosis of primary MALT lymphoma of the conjunctiva was made based on morphologic and immunopheno-typic studies. Chromosome analysis revealed a male karyotype with a translocation t (5;11) (q33;p11.2) as the primary chromosomal abnormality, which, to the best of our knowledge, is the first reported translocation in MALT lym-phomas and ocular MALT lymphomas as well.

Purpose: To describe 4 patients with histopathologically confirmed tarsal conjunctival nevi and to review the literature regarding nevi in this location., Methods: Clinicopathologic series of 4 cases diagnosed at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary between January 1990 and April 2009. PubMed was searched for reported cases of tarsal conjunctival nevi., Results: Four patients (mean age 44 years, median 50 years, range 5-70 years) with tarsal conjunctival nevi were identified (3.4% of all histopathologically diagnosed conjunctival nevi). These lesions presented in adulthood (3 cases) and were associated with elevation/nodularity (3 cases), gray-brown coloration (3 cases), physician-documented growth (1 case), madarosis (1 case), and intrinsic vessels (1 case). Histopathology revealed combined nevi centered in the posterior lamella of the eyelid, predominantly in peri-Meibomian gland distribution. Review of the literature identified 10 previously reported cases of tarsal nevi with detailed clinicopathologic correlation in 3 of these patients., Conclusions: Tarsal conjunctival nevi are rare. Adult presentation; subjective and objective evidence of growth; and associated inflammation, vascularity, and eyelid margin changes may make clinical distinction of tarsal nevi from melanoma challenging. Biopsy, therefore, is prudent as histopathology alone allows documentation of the benign nature of these lesions.

The authors report a novel case of solitary infantile myofibroma originating from the conjunctiva and encroaching over the limbus. This is an observational case report with clinicopathologic correlation. Immunostaining of the lesion was positive for vimentin and smooth muscle actin, and negative for pancytokeratin, desmin, myogenin, EMA, myoglobin, HMB45, and MelanA. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of myofibroma originating from the conjunctiva and this case highlights the importance of considering myofibromatosis in the differential diagnosis of unusual conjunctival lesions., (Copyright 2010, SLACK Incorporated.)

Objective: To evaluate the role of immunohistochemical methods in the diagnosis of benign and malignant conjunctival melanocytic proliferations., Design: Retrospective immunohistopathologic study., Methods: Paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 20 conjunctival nevi and 15 invasive melanomas were immunoreacted with antibodies against cellular antigens S-100 protein, MART-1, HMB-45, CD-45, and Ki-67 nuclear proliferation protein., Results: All nevi immunostained moderately to strongly for S-100 protein and MART-1. Results for HMB-45 were negative in the middle and lower subepithelial portions of 18 of 20 lesions; it was usually only weakly positive within the superficial junctional zone. Only 1 melanoma did not stain positively for S-100; MART-1 and HMB-45 were positive in all lesions at some level of intensity. Ki-67 positivity was restricted to the junctional zone of nevi and was diffuse in melanomas. The mean Ki-67 proliferation indices were 1.89% for the nevi and 17.3% for the melanomas. CD-45 can help to highlight lymphocytes that immunostain with Ki-67. Melanomas in situ and atypical primary acquired melanoses had more than twice the Ki-67 proliferation counts of intraepithelial junctional nevocytes (P < .001) and more intense HMB-45 cytoplasmic staining than junctional zone nevocytes., Conclusions: S-100 and MART-1 were not useful in separating benign from malignant lesions. Results for nevus cells beneath the junctional zone were overwhelmingly negative for HMB-45 and Ki-67. Two nevi and all melanomatous nodules were positive for HMB-45 (P < .001). A higher Ki-67 proliferation index convincingly separated melanomas from nevi (P < .001). Immunostaining for HMB-45 and Ki-67 are valuable adjuncts to careful histopathologic evaluation in assessing benign and malignant conjunctival melanocytic tumors.

A healthy, 17-year-old boy presented with a 2-month history of an epibulbar mass on the left eye. Slit lamp examination showed an amelanotic, translucent, round, well-circumscribed, superonasal subconjunctival nodule. On ultrasound biomicroscopy, the tumor was acoustically hollow. The lesion was excised intact, and cryotherapy was applied to the surrounding conjunctiva. Histopathologic examination revealed a tumor composed of spindle cells with slender cytoplasmic processes and bland cigar-shaped nuclei, consistent with schwannoma. Immunohistochemistry showed positivity for S100 protein. The patient had no signs of neurofibromatosis. There was no tumor recurrence after 18 months. This case shows that conjunctival schwannoma can present as a translucent, well-circumscribed subconjunctival mass.

Purpose: To report the findings on sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in 30 patients with ocular adnexal (conjunctival or eyelid) melanomas., Design: Prospective nonrandomized clinical trial., Participants: Thirty patients with diagnosis of eyelid or conjunctival melanoma., Methods: All patients with ocular adnexal melanoma who underwent SLNB at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center between December 2000 and July 2008 are the subject of this report. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed as previously described by our group, and patients were prospectively followed up., Main Outcome Measures: Findings on preoperative lymphoscintigraphy, SLNB, histopathologic examination of the primary tumor and sentinel lymph nodes (SNL), and nodal recurrence after SLNB., Results: Tumor sites were as follows: bulbar conjunctiva only, 14 patients; palpebral conjunctiva only, 8 patients; both bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva, 4 patients; and eyelid skin only, 4 patients. At least 1 SLN was identified in all patients. The median number of SLNs removed was 2 (range, 1-5). The most common basin sampled was the intraparotid (16 patients), followed by submandibular (level I) (11 patients), preauricular (9 patients), and superior cervical (level II) (6 patients). Five patients had SLN metastasis. Among the 25 patients with negative SLNB findings, there were 2 false-negative events. There were no false-negative events among patients treated during the last 4.5 years of the study. The mean Breslow thickness was 2.57 mm (range, 0.62-12 mm) among patients with negative SLNB and 4.86 mm (range, 2.0-7.2 mm) among patients with positive SLNB findings (P = 0.055). Ulceration was present in 11 patients (39%): 4 (80%) of 5 patients with positive SLNB and 7 (28%) of 25 with negative SLNB, including both patients with false-negative results. The median time from SLNB to last contact was 2 years (range, 10 months to 6 years)., Conclusions: Sentinel lymph node biopsy is effective for identifying nodal micrometastasis in patients with ocular adnexal melanoma and provides important prognostic information. The false-negative event rate in our series improved in the last 4 years, most likely because of a better technique and better patient selection for SLNB. We recommend consideration of SLNB for patients with intermediate-thickness ocular adnexal melanoma and those with ulceration.

A 14-year-old previously healthy boy presented for evaluation of a subconjunctival mass that had been present for 2 to 3 years, but had recently started to enlarge. Imaging demonstrated an anterior orbital lesion that enhanced with gadolinium. An excisional biopsy was performed and revealed highly malignant-appearing small, blue, round tumor cells. Immuohistochemical stains were strongly reactive with CD99 (MIC2 and O13), CD56, and retained INI-1 reactivity. The EWS-FLI1 chimeric fusion gene transcript was also detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis, confirming Ewing sarcoma. Full-body CT, bone scan, and bone marrow biopsy were all negative, proving this to be a premetastatic, primary orbital tumor arising from soft tissue.

A conjunctival myxoma was identified in a specimen obtained from a 45-year-old woman via excisional biopsy. The patient presented with a slowly growing painless epibulbar mass. The paucicellular tumor included stellate and spindle-shaped cells, mast cells, and dilated lymphatic channels embedded in a loose collagenous matrix. The differential diagnosis of conjunctival myxoma should include tumors that have myxoid patterns and richly myxoid malignant neoplasms.

Background: We report a case of atypical fibroxanthoma that developed in the palpebral conjunctiva., Case: A 94-year-old woman had a hemorrhagic tumor in the right lower palpebral conjunctiva that was resected, and adjunctive cryotherapy was applied to the surgical bed., Observations: The tumor was bleeding and appeared as a pale red, elastic but firm nodule approximately 15x16x8 mm in size. It was composed mainly of fibroblast-like cells and pleomorphic histiocyte-like cells. A storiform pattern was observed in the fibroblast-like cells. The tumor stained positive for vimentin, CD68, and CD10, weakly for CD74 and CD99, and was negative for keratin (wide), KL-1, alpha-fetoprotein, myoglobin, S-100, alpha-smooth muscle actin, desmin, leukocyte common antigen, and glial fibrillary acidic protein immunohistochemically. The MIB-1 index was about 10%. From these findings, we diagnosed the tumor as an atypical fibroxanthoma. There has been no recurrence in the 2 years since the resection., Conclusions: An atypical fibroxanthoma in the palpebral conjunctiva is very rare. The clinical presentation and histological and immunohistochemical studies are helpful in distinguishing between an atypical fibroxanthoma and a malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

We present the clinical profile of biopsy and immunohistochemistry-proven ocular adnexal lymphomas in the Northeast Indian population. Nineteen patients between October 2004 and June 2006 with ocular adnexal lymphoma were analyzed retrospectively. Histopathological classification was done according to international working formulation. Twelve patients were male and seven were female. All were diagnosed as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and the majority were B cell type (89%). Most of the cases (42%)were treated with radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy.

Purpose: To report an unusual case of ocular peripheral T-cell lymphoma presenting as sclerouveitis., Methods: A 53-year-old woman presented with painful, unilateral sclerouveitis and was initially treated with antivirals and corticosteroids for what was presumed to be isolated ocular HSV infection with vasculitis. When she failed to improve the conjunctiva was biopsied and characterized by immunohistochemical and molecular methods. The literature regarding conjunctival T-cell lymphomas as well as lymphomas mimicking scleritis is reviewed., Results: Biopsies of a scleral/conjunctival nodule from the right eye were obtained on 2 occasions, the second of which revealed the presence of intermediate to large size lymphocytes that were CD3, T-cell intracellular antigen 1 and Granzyme B positive but CD56 and Epstein Barr virus negative. Polymerase chain reaction showed clonal T-cell receptor gamma rearrangements in DNA samples isolated from biopsy tissue. Another biopsy was obtained from a mucosal lesion in the oropharynx, which was shown to contain an identical T-cell receptor gamma rearrangement. These results led to the diagnosis of peripheral T-cell lymphoma. Conjunctival T-cell lymphomas have been reported in two other patients both of which also had involvement of upper airway structures. Five other reports of lymphoma mimicking scleritis are discussed., Conclusions: Peripheral T-cell lymphoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients who present with sclerouveitis of unknown etiology unresponsive to conventional therapy. If a conjunctival T-cell lymphoma is identified a systemic evaluation for lymphoma with particular attention to the upper airway is justified.

A 25-year-old woman presented for evaluation of a rapidly enlarging mass of the left bulbar conjunctiva. Debulking biopsy was performed, which led to the diagnosis of myxoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The patient underwent left orbital exenteration with clear margins. Histopathology showed involvement of the conjunctiva substantia propria, superior conjunctival fornix, and episclera, as well as extension from the lateral rectus muscle sheath. Immunohistochemical staining was strongly positive for CD68, alpha1-antitrypsin, CD34, and vimentin.

Myeloid sarcoma is an unusual manifestation of acute leukemia. These leukemic tumors have been described in multiple organ systems. Leukemia is almost always present, but may be undiagnosed when the myeloid sarcoma comes to medical attention. We present a clinicopathologic report of a previously healthy young woman with conjunctival myeloid sarcomas of all 4 eyelids without evidence of an underlying hematologic disorder over 15 months' follow-up, despite refusal of consolidation chemotherapy. Isolated, multifocal myeloid sarcoma of the periorbital region is a very rare manifestation of acute leukemia.

A nodular, epibulbar mass appearing in an adult woman without antecedent inflammation or injury prompted concern for possible malignancy. Excision was performed, and pathologic examination demonstrated a conjunctival fibroma. The rarity of the fibroma and its clinical similarity to other benign or malignant tumors render its clinical diagnosis elusive.

Case Report: We report a case of conjunctival Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in a nonimmunocompromised patient. The resected tumour recurred locally. No additional lesion was seen 20 months after the second surgery., Comments: Before onset of AIDS, few reports described primary conjunctival KS, although it has been described in other immunocompromised disease stages, i.e. systemic KS.

Purpose/methods: To report a rare case of a tumor in a conjunctival location, a giant cell collagenoma. Tissue was stained with hematoxylin-eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, and Masson's trichromic stain and studied by immunohistochemistry., Results/conclusion: The clinical and histopathologic features of conjunctival giant cell collagenoma are similar to characteristics of the same tumor occurring in other parts of the body. This is the first report of this tumor in the eye.

Purpose: To review the clinical features and course of six patients with fibrous histiocytoma (FH) of the conjunctiva., Design: Retrospective, observational clinical case series., Methods: Chart review of six consecutive patients with unilateral cases of conjunctival FH was conducted. Clinical presentation, treatment, histopathologic condition, and follow-up information were recorded., Results: The mean patient age was 37 years (median, 38 years; range, 12 to 72 years). There were five white patients, one black patient, five male patients, and one female patient. The tumor was present for a mean of three months (median, five months; range, one to 12 months) and was unilateral (one right eye, five left eyes). In all cases, the tumor was a tan, dome-shaped limbal mass in the conjunctival stroma with visible intrinsic vessels. The mean tumor basal dimension was 7 mm (median, 5 mm; range, 4 to 11 mm). Surgical resection was performed in all cases, and histopathologic study demonstrated benign FH in four cases and malignant FH in two cases. Those cases with benign FH showed no recurrence over nine months (median, eight months; range, three to 18 months). One patient with malignant FH showed recurrence and required repeat excision. The other patient with malignant FH was treated with plaque radiotherapy to maintain control. There was no evidence of orbital invasion or remote metastasis in any case over the mean follow-up period of 21 months (median, 10 months; range, three to 80 months)., Conclusion: FH is a rare conjunctival tumor that can show benign or malignant features. Complete resection is advised. Malignant FH can demonstrate recurrence that necessitates wide resection and radiotherapy.

A 62-year-old man visited the authors' clinic complaining of a mass on the palpebral conjunctiva of the right upper eyelid. The 2.0 cm x 1.2 cm sized, red and painless mass underwent incision and biopsy for histopathological examination. The mass was confirmed to be Kaposiform haemangioendothelioma characterized by densely packed spindle cells. These cells were positive to vimentin, CD31 and factor VIII-related antigen by immunohistochemical stain. The mass was completely resolved by oral steroid therapy and has not recurred through the presentation. Kaposiform haemangioendothelioma generally occurs in infant and adolescent periods and is characterized by rapid progression and invasion to adjacent tissue. Herein, an unusual case of Kaposiform haemangioendothelioma affecting the conjunctiva of the upper eyelid on a middle-aged man is reported.

Purpose: To analyze the appearance of conjunctival pigmented tumors as seen by in vivo confocal microscopy., Methods: Twenty-eight pigmented conjunctival tumors including 6 nevi, 13 acquired melanoses, 7 conjunctival melanomas, and 2 extrascleral growths of uveal melanomas were examined by in vivo confocal microscopy using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRTII)/Rostock Cornea Modul (RCM). Confocal images were analyzed using predefined criteria by an observer masked to final histological diagnosis and a preliminary diagnosis was established. After excision, histology and immunohistochemistry using antibodies against S-100, Melan-A, HMB-45, Ki-67, CD3, and CD68 were performed in all specimens and compared with in vivo confocal images of the same lesions., Results: Confocal microscopy images confirmed typical histopathological features of conjunctival pigmented tumors. Nest or diffuse collections of medium-sized uniform hyper- or hyperreflective cells in the stroma and stromal cysts lined with a multilayered epithelium were visible in 100% of conjunctival nevi. Small dendritic cells were typically observed in 100% of primary acquired melanoses (PAM) without atypia and in 2 out of 6 nevi. Large networks of hyperreflective dendritic cells were present in 100% of PAM with atypia. Whereas images of PAM without atypia and secondary complexion-associated melanosis showed hyperreflective granules confined to the basal epithelium in 67% of lesions, PAM with atypia presented with hyperreflective granules and patches throughout the epithelium in all cases. Malignant melanomas of the conjunctiva and extrascleral growths of uveal melanomas demonstrated large hyperreflective cells with prominent nuclei and nucleoli. In vivo confocal microscopy showed a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 100% to establish the correct diagnosis of conjunctival melanoma compared with histology., Conclusions: High correlations were found between in vivo confocal microscopy using near-infrared laser light and histology in the diagnosis of pigmented conjunctival lesions. In vivo confocal microscopy seems to be a valuable new tool in the differential diagnosis and follow-up of pigmented conjunctival tumors. It does not replace histology, but may assist in performing guided biopsy in tumors suspected clinically and/or with in vivo microscopy. In addition, in vivo confocal microscopy may support the clinical diagnosis of extrascleral involvement in uveal melanoma.

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the conjunctiva are uncommon. They are almost exclusively extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphomas/mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas. In this study, we report an extremely rare case of conjunctival mantle cell lymphoma in a 78-year-old man, presenting as a unilateral epibulbar mass.

Purpose: To report two glomangiomas in one orbit, each isolated to a rectus muscle., Design: Clinicopathologic correlation., Methods: A 12-year-old boy developed two separate vascular tumors, near the insertions of the medial rectus and superior rectus muscles, respectively. A biopsy of one tumor was studied by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry., Results: Histopathology revealed blood vessels surrounded by cuboidal cells characteristic of glomangioma. The cells showed immunoreactivity for smooth muscle actin and vimentin, supporting the diagnosis., Conclusions: Glomangioma can involve the rectus muscles in the conjunctiva and orbit, and should be considered in differential diagnosis of vascular tumors in the ocular region.

Background/aim: It is generally assumed that similar pathways are involved in human papillomavirus (HPV) induced pathogenesis of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) and cancers and a subset of conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasm (CIN)-that the malignancies or pre-cancerous lesions arise through HPV oncoproteins E6 and E7, which disrupt the pathways of p53 and the product of the retinoblastoma (Rb) gene and, in turn, increase the protein product of gene p16INK4 through the mechanism of positive feedback. Several cell cycle molecules are detected to test this hypothesis., Methods: Nine cases of CIN and eight non-CIN cases were analysed for the expression of Ki-67, pRb, p53, and p16INK4 via immunohistochemistry. Nine cases of cervical high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), and 10 cases of cervical low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) were included for stain control of p16INK4a, and comparison of p16INK4a expression to CIN cases. A nested polymerase chain reaction and a genechip HPV typing were used to detect HPV infection and types in the CIN and non-CIN samples, Results: HPV positivity was demonstrated in all of the CIN lesions but in none of the non-CIN lesions. The Ki-67 proliferative index (Ki-67 PI) was statistically higher in the CIN group than the non-CIN group; however, there were no differences of expression of pRb and p53 between the two groups and no expression of p16INK4 in all cases. All nine cases of HSIL, and seven out of 10 cases of LSIL used for stain control were immunoreactive for p16INK4a. There were statistically significant differences in overexpression of p16INK4a between the CINs and SILs, Conclusions: The Ki-67 proliferative index may be a sensitive marker for CIN lesions and these results, with significant differences in overexpression of p16INK4a between CINs and SILs, may provide new evidence that HPV related mucosal dysplasia in different anatomical locations may lead to dissimilar molecular pathways.

Purpose: We report a 70-year-old man with a salmon patch conjunctival mass diagnosed as multiple myeloma., Design: Case report., Methods: Surgical biopsies of the salmon patch conjunctival mass and bone marrow, as well as hematologic workup for multiple myeloma were performed., Results: Conjunctival biopsy revealed heavy myeloma cells with eccentric nuclei and basophilic cytoplasm infiltrate in the conjunctival stroma. Bone marrow biopsy and aspirate showed interstitial infiltrated by myeloma cells, which stained monoclonally for immunoglobulin G (IgG)-kappa light chains. Hematologic tests confirmed the diagnosis of multiple myeloma., Conclusions: Multiple myeloma is one of the causes of a salmon patch conjunctival lesion and may be included in the differential diagnosis.