Metastatic neuroendocrine tumors mimicking as primary ocular disease

Abstract

Purpose: To report two cases of metastatic neuroendocrine tumors masquerading as primary ocular disease. Observations: Case 1 is a 38-year-old man who was referred with subacute onset diplopia and fluctuating ptosis suggestive of myasthenia gravis. Case 2 is a 21-year-old man who presented with blurry vision and was found to have a pigmented ciliary body mass and retinal detachment suggestive of uveal melanoma. Both patients were ultimately diagnosed with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors. Conclusions and Importance: Neuroendocrine tumors, though rare and infrequently metastatic to the eye and orbit, can initially present with ocular signs. A broad differential and careful consideration of ocular and systemic symptoms are critical in such challenging cases.

Keywords

• Neuroendocrine tumor
• Ciliary body tumor
• Orbital metastasis
• Intraocular metastasis