Nodulo-ulcerative squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva mimicking necrotizing sclerokeratitis in a young patient

Abstract

Purpose: A delay in diagnosing and treating ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) with an atypical manifestation can lead to a progression to more advanced stages, resulting in a decrease in cure rates and treatment effectiveness. Observations: This case report describes a 21-year-old white male who presented to our Cornea Division with peripheral nasal corneal and scleral thinning with prolapse of uveal tissue in the right eye for over four months and who had received a sclerocorneal patch graft. The patient underwent systemic immunosuppressive therapy for presumed Mooren's ulcer after laboratory evaluation eliminated a collagen vascular disorder. Approximately three months after the procedure the patient returned with an inferior and superior sclerocorneal perforation. Six months after the first visit to our department, he returned to our ophthalmological emergency department with self-evisceration of the intraocular contents. He underwent an emergency evisceration procedure, and histopathological analysis of the intraocular contents revealed a poorly differentiated nodulo-ulcerative squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva with intraocular invasion. A tomographic evaluation suggested orbital invasion. Subsequently, he underwent exenteration. Conclusions and Importance: OSSN should be considered in the differential diagnosis of corneal or scleral thinning, perforation, and inflammation of an unknown cause even in young patients, especially after systemic disorders have been excluded.

Keywords

• Conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma
• Necrotizing sclerokeratitis
• Sclerocorneal perforation
• Orbital exenteration