Indian Journal of Ophthalmology

PHOTO ESSAY
Year
: 2014  |  Volume : 62  |  Issue : 7  |  Page : 809--811

Conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia with corneal furrow degeneration


Pukhraj Rishi1, Carol L Shields2, Ralph C Eagle3,  
1 Oncology Service, Wills Eye Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Shri Bhagwan Mahavir Vitreoretinal Services, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
2 Oncology Service, Wills Eye Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
3 Department of Pathology, Wills Eye Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Correspondence Address:
Carol L Shields
Oncology Service, Wills Eye Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Abstract

A 68-year-old man presented with redness of left eye since six months. Examination revealed bilateral corneal furrow degeneration. Left eye lesion was suggestive of conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma, encroaching on to cornea. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) confirmed peripheral corneal thinning. Fluorescein angiography confirmed intrinsic vascularity of lesion. Patient was managed with �DQ�no touch�DQ� surgical excision, dry keratectomy without alcohol, cryotherapy, and primary closure. Pathologic examination of removed tissue confirmed clinical diagnosis. Management of this particular case required modification of standard treatment protocol. Unlike the alcohol-assisted technique of tumor dissection described, ethyl alcohol was not used for risk of corneal perforation due to underlying peripheral corneal thinning. Likewise, topical steroids were withheld in the post-operative period. Three weeks post-operatively, left eye was healing well. Hence, per-operative usage of absolute alcohol and post-operative use of topical steroids may be best avoided in such eyes.



How to cite this article:
Rishi P, Shields CL, Eagle RC. Conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia with corneal furrow degeneration.Indian J Ophthalmol 2014;62:809-811


How to cite this URL:
Rishi P, Shields CL, Eagle RC. Conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia with corneal furrow degeneration. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 2014 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];62:809-811
Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?2014/62/7/809/138625


Full Text

A 68-year-old man noted redness in his left eye (operating system, OS) for 6 months. Visual acuity was 20/25 right eye and 20/20 OS. Examination revealed bilateral corneal furrow degeneration and coincidental foreign body "rust ring." [1],[2] [Figure 1] A sessile papillary squamous cell neoplasm was found OS. This measured 10 mm in diameter and overhung the cornea [Figure 2] and [Figure 3]. [3] Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT; Visante OCT 3.0;{Figure 1}{Figure 2}{Figure 3}

Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) confirmed 1-2 mm of peripheral corneal thinning. [4] [Figure 4] Fluorescein angiography established intrinsic tumor vascularity [Figure 5]. Tumor was surgically managed with "no touch" excision, dry keratectomy without alcohol application, cryotherapy, and primary double-layer closure. [3] Histopathology disclosed squamous cell carcinoma in situ (CIS) of conjunctival epithelium. Tumor cells were immunoreactive for squamous cell carcinoma marker p63 [Figure 6] and [Figure 7].{Figure 4}{Figure 5}{Figure 6}{Figure 7}

 Discussion



Corneal furrow degeneration is painless, bilateral thinning of peripheral cornea between corneal arcus and limbus, predominantly affecting elderly. Commonly, there is no inflammation, vascularization, or induced corneal astigmatism. Subjects are usually asymptomatic. Depending on severity, management involves observation, lubrication, or punctal occlusion. [1],[2]

Conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma in situ (CIS) of conjunctival epithelium is a malignant neoplasm that usually arises from limbal stem cells. Part of the spectrum of conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), it may invade through epithelial basement membrane into the conjunctival or corneal stroma or rarely the interior of eye or orbit. Corneal furrow degeneration is not associated with higher incidence of CIN or related malignancies, despite the similar location. Management of CIN involves alcohol-assisted de-epithelialization of CIN, complete tumor removal, cryotherapy of margins, and tissue closure. In this case, alcohol was not used for possible risk of corneal perforation in degenerated corneal guttter. [3],[5] Similarly, topical steroids or 5-fluorouracil were avoided. Post-operative healing was unremarkable. In such cases, alteration of surgical technique should be considered.

 Acknowledgement



Dr. Jerry A. Shields (JAS) for his help with preparation of this manuscript.

References

1Vogt A. Textbook and atlas of slit lamp microscopy of the living eye. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, editors. Bonn, Wayenborgh Editions, 1981. Sugar A. Conjunctival and Corneal Degenerations. Ophthalmology. Philadelphia: Mosby; 1999. p. 5.6.1-8.
2Cohen EJ, Rapuano CJ, Laibson PR, Raber IM. Cornea: Peripheral corneal thinning. In: Rhee DA, Pyfer MA, editors. The Wills Eye Manual, 3 rd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott, William and Wilkins; 1999. p. 97-101.
3Shields CL, Shields JA. Tumors of the conjunctiva and cornea. Surv Ophthalmol 2004;49:3-24.
4Radhakrishnan S, Rollins AM, Roth JE, Yazdanfar S, Westphal V, Bardenstein DS, et al. Real-time optical coherence tomography of the anterior segment at 1310 nm. Arch Ophthalmol 2001;119:1179-85.
5Shields JA, Shields CL, DePotter P. Surgical management of conjunctival tumors. Arch Ophthalmol 1997;115:808-15.