A case of intraocular malignant lymphoma diagnosed by cytology obtained from surgically removed vitreous

Abstract

Background : Intraocular malignant lymphoma is rare and difficult to diagnose because it masquerades as uveitis. We report a case of intraocular malignant lymphoma diagnosed through vitreous cytology.
Case : A 77-year-old man initially diagnosed with bilateral idiopathic uveitis with steroid-resistant vitreous opacity was found in cytological examination of bilateral vitreous samples to have malignant lymphoma. Immunocytochemical staining using cell block specimens fixed with Bouin’s solution, indicated diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement then demonstrated monoclonal proliferation of B cells.
Conclusion : We report intraocular lymphoma originally diagnosed by vitreous cytology. Cytologic analysis and immunocytochemical staining and molecular analysis using cell block fixed with Bouin’s solution are useful for definitively diagnosing intraocular lymphoma.