Ultrabiomicroscopic imaging of choroidal metastases underlying an anterior scleritis

Abstract

Tumor-associated masquerading anterior scleritis (AS) is a rare syndrome with few case reports in the medical literature. Imaging studies play a crucial role in the correct diagnosis of this entity. Ultrabiomicroscopy (UBM) is a vital imaging tool in the study of anterior segment lesions and enables early diagnosis and treatment in these patients. We report the clinical and ultrabiomicroscopic findings of a patient with tumor-associated masquerading AS due to choroidal metastases from lung adenocarcinoma. A 65-year-old male patient with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma in remission presented with red eye and intense pain in his left eye refractory to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. An AS was diagnosed and after no treatment response, ocular ultrasound (US), and UBM were ordered. Choroidal metastases were evidenced underlying the exact area of scleral inflammation. While the characteristics of metastases by US match those previously reported in the literature, UBM reveals novel characteristics, such as irregular thickening, intralesional heterogeneity, and a “lumpy-bumpy” pattern.

Keywords

• lung adenocarcinoma
• masquerading syndrome
• ocular metastases
• scleritis