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Study: Iridocorneal endothelial syndrome can simulate iris melanoma
Arch Ophthalmol. 2011;129(8):1023-1029.
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Iridocorneal endothelial syndrome can masquerade as iris melanoma, according to a study.
"Occasionally, the features [of iridocorneal endothelial syndrome] are subtle and this condition is overlooked," the study authors wrote.
Certain features are more indicative of iridocorneal endothelial syndrome, including corneal endothelial guttata-like changes and edema, multidirectional ectropion iridis, iris atrophy, and peripheral anterior synechia.
Computer-coded records of all patients on the Ocular Oncology Service at Wills Eye Institute from July 1974 to August 2010 were evaluated, showing that 71 patients were referred for evaluation of iris melanoma but were found to have iridocorneal endothelial syndrome.
In this study, the two conditions exhibited similarities such as mean age at presentation, prominent episcleral blood vessels, corectopia, ectropion iridis and elevated IOP.
Differentiating the two conditions is important, the authors noted, because "the main therapeutic strategy for [iridocorneal endothelial] syndrome-related glaucoma involves open surgical procedures, and these should be avoided in eyes with melanoma to prevent extraocular tumor spread."
The authors suggested additional endothelial imaging to help distinguish the benign condition of iridocorneal endothelial syndrome from iris melanoma.