ABSTRACT
CASE REPORT: We describe the unusual diagnosis of a ciliary body medulloepithelioma by histopathology of a subretinal membrane obtained from vitreoretinal surgery of a 10-year-old boy. The patient had a history of perforating trauma OS 2 years earlier, and both fundus exam and B-scan ultrasound revealed only a retinal detachment with a subretinal membrane. No detectable mass was present. DISCUSSION: The membrane removed from underneath the peripheral retina revealed a blue cell tumor confirmed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry to be a primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Currently, the patient has been followed for 5 years with no signs of recurrence.
Subject(s)
Ciliary Body/pathology , Eye Injuries, Penetrating/complications , Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive/complications , Uveal Neoplasms/complications , Cataract/etiology , Child , Ciliary Body/surgery , Diagnosis, Differential , Eye Injuries, Penetrating/diagnostic imaging , False Negative Reactions , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Light Coagulation , Male , Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive/diagnosis , Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive/pathology , Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive/surgery , Remission Induction , Retinal Detachment/diagnostic imaging , Retinal Detachment/etiology , Retinoblastoma/diagnosis , Time Factors , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Ultrasonography , Uveal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Uveal Neoplasms/pathology , Uveal Neoplasms/surgery , VitrectomyABSTRACT
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly worldwide. The more severe form of the disease, known as neovascular AMD, is characterized by aberrant growth of blood vessels from the choroid into the subretinal space. This pathologic choroidal neovascularization can have drastic consequences, often seriously impairing vision in affected individuals. Current treatment approaches focus on combination therapies that include photodynamic therapy in conjunction with numerous forms of antiangiogenic or anti-inflammatory drug intervention. To date, however, no adequate treatment is available for the majority of affected individuals. The threat of a rapidly aging population provides the impetus for aggressive efforts to control the prevalence and progression of this disease. This review will outline the currently available pharmacotherapies, discussing the justification for their use as well as their shortcomings. Furthermore, drugs that are currently under investigation as monotherapies and adjuncts will be highlighted. The potential for alternate targets will also be examined, with a focus on the most promising candidates.
