Retinal granular cell tumor: a case report

Abstract

Background To report a rare case of granular cell tumor invading the retina. Case presentation A 56-year-old female complained of blurred vision for 2 weeks in her left eye. An irregular-shaped retinal mass in the inferonasal and extending to the optic disc accompanied by dense exudation and extensive serous retinal detachment was observed. Several intravitreal bevacizumab injections were ineffective for stabilizing retinal exudation and intraocular pressure (IOP). Vitrectomy was performed to re-attach the retina and obtain a tumor biopsy specimen. Histopathological analysis revealed that the intraocular mass was a granular cell tumor. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that the tumor was positive for S100 and CD68, focal positive for neurofilaments, but negative for ERG and HMB-45. Local recurrence and distant metastasis were not found, but visual acuity had worsened to no light perception at the last visit due to uncontrolled intraocular pressure and retinal exudation after the surgery. Conclusions Granular cell tumor is a rare benign neoplasm, but it can lead to devastating visual loss if it invades the retina adjacent to the optic nerve head.

Granular cell tumour in the ciliary body

“…A yellowish-white mass measuring 10 optic disc diameters that extended from the inferonasal side of the optic disc and included the optic disc was detected. 14 A vasoproliferative tumour was suspected; therefore, intravitreal bevacizumab injections were administered, which were transiently effective for the suppression of exudation only, and did not reduce the mass lesion. Vitrectomy combined with tumour biopsy and silicone oil tamponade was performed.…”

“…Reports of intraocular GCTs are scarce, and to the best of our knowledge, only three cases have been reported to date. [13][14][15] The first report was of an iris and anterior ciliary body tumour in a woman in her 20s; however, no systemic abnormalities were described in that case. The iris tumour was 1 cm in size and grew asymptomatically over 3 months.…”

“…In our patient, the tumour enlarged within 1 year, and malignancy could not be ruled out. Therefore, we performed a total ab externo excision of the ciliary tumour because it was difficult to completely remove the tumour through a vitrectomy 14 15. Intraocular GCT can present in the ciliary body as a yellowish-white solid mass and should be considered as a differential diagnosis of ciliary tumours.…”

“…Approximately 3% of GCTs develop in the periocular region, that is, the orbit,1–5 extraocular muscles,6 7 lacrimal tissues,8 9 eyelid,10 conjunctiva11 and caruncle 12. However, intraocular GCTs are extremely rare, and only three cases in the anterior uvea and iris,13 retina14 and subretinal space15 have been reported. Here, we report a case of a ciliary GCT diagnosed based on the pathological examination of a total excision specimen.…”