Late-Developing Metastatic Malignant Melanoma in the Thoracic Spine Originating from Choroidal Melanoma

A 54-year-old woman visited Gangnam Severance Hospital for left side flank pain. She had a history of total removal of malignant melanoma on the left eye ball 20 years prior. No evaluation had been performed since then. A paravertebral mass at thoracic ninth level (T9) was discovered on spinal magnetic resonance imaging, and pathology confirmed malignant melanoma. Following positron emission tomography-computed tomography, no other metastasis was discovered. After removal of the paravertebral mass, palliative chemotherapy (dacabarzine + tamoxifene) was administered in 3 cycles over 2 months. Radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost technique was performed at 4,350 cGy total over 15 days, 290 cGy per delivery, and was administered with the first cycle of palliative chemotherapy. Despite this treatment, multiple metastases developed throughout her body 7 months later, and the patient is continuing chemotherapy.

A case of giant nodular posterior scleritis mimicking choroidal malignancy.

To report a case of giant nodular posterior scleritis mimicking a choroidal tumor. A 42‑year‑old lady with systemic hypertension presented with a 1‑week history of unilateral visual loss, pain and redness in her left eye. Examination showed sectoral anterior episcleritis in her left eye as well as a dome‑shaped choroidal mass at the inferior‑temporal periphery, associated with retinal hemorrhages and subretinal fluid. Systemic evaluation and imaging of the choroidal mass were performed and could not rule out amelanotic choroidal melanoma. At the same time, she was prescribed a 2‑week course of oral nonsteroidal anti‑inflammatory drug (NSAID) for her sectoral anterior episcleritis. The choroidal mass was found to have resolved completely right before her scheduled fine needle biospy. Diagnosis of nodular posterior scleritis and a trial of oral NSAID can be considered in patients presenting with a choroidal mass before any invasive procedure.

A Case of Choroidal Tuberculoma

It is Known that ocular tuberculosis occurs as a consequence of active infection from hematogenous spread or a hypersensitivity reaction to circtlating tuberculoproteins. The common findings of ocular tuberculosis are uveitis and choroidal tuberculoma. Paralleling the decrease of pulmonary tuberculosis and improvemem of differential diagnostic metnods, there has been a dramatic decline in the number of diagnosed cases of ocular tuberculosis. In a 65-year-old female a choroidal tumor was diagn03ed at our hospital a year ago Thereafter, she has been medicated with antituberculotic agents for brain tuberculosis in the other hospital. Recently she returned to our clinic cOffiJlaining of aggravated ocular symptom. The right vision was no light perception Enucleation of her right eye was perfomed under the impression of malignant tumor of choroid with secondary glaucoma. Pathologic findings of enucleated eyeball revealed the nature of tuberculoma; so, we report it with a review of literature.

A Case of Choroidal Tuberculoma

It is Known that ocular tuberculosis occurs as a consequence of active infection from hematogenous spread or a hypersensitivity reaction to circtlating tuberculoproteins. The common findings of ocular tuberculosis are uveitis and choroidal tuberculoma. Paralleling the decrease of pulmonary tuberculosis and improvemem of differential diagnostic metnods, there has been a dramatic decline in the number of diagnosed cases of ocular tuberculosis. In a 65-year-old female a choroidal tumor was diagn03ed at our hospital a year ago Thereafter, she has been medicated with antituberculotic agents for brain tuberculosis in the other hospital. Recently she returned to our clinic cOffiJlaining of aggravated ocular symptom. The right vision was no light perception Enucleation of her right eye was perfomed under the impression of malignant tumor of choroid with secondary glaucoma. Pathologic findings of enucleated eyeball revealed the nature of tuberculoma; so, we report it with a review of literature.