Polymerase chain reaction-proven tuberculous anterior segment mass mimicking juvenile xanthogranuloma in a child

Abstract

Mass lesions arising from the anterior segment in children involving the iris and ciliary body can be of myogenic, neurogenic, or hematogenic/vascular origin. These include nevi, melanomas, adenoma, adenocarcinoma, cysts, metastatic tumours among others. Multiple iris mass lesions due to tuberculosis in children are rare. We present an uncommon atypical presentation of multiple anterior segment mass lesions referred to us as neoplasia. Although excision biopsy can be diagnostic, it was deferred and anterior chamber tap was done. Aqueous cytology was suspicious of juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) but polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed tuberculous etiology. Treatment with antituberculous therapy (ATT) and steroids lead to complete resolution of the lesions.

Keywords

• iris mass
• iris melanoma
• juvenile xanthogranuloma
• pediatric tumors
• tuberculoma