[Malignant masquerade syndromes]

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate our experience with the diagnosis and treatment of malignant masquerade syndromes.

Methods: A retrospective study of 46 patients treated for malignant masquerade syndromes at our Department for Diagnosis and Treatment of Uveitis, 1st Faculty of Medicine in Prague, between 1995 and 2008, was performed.

Results: Eighty-nine patients with masquerade syndromes (7.2%) from all 1233 patients with uveitis were included. Malignant masquerade syndromes were recognized in 46 patients (22 females and 24 males, mean age 55 years). The most frequent cause of malignant masquerade syndromes was intraocular non-Hodgkin lymphoma (26 patients). The primary diagnosis was idiopathic uveitis in many cases. The most valuable diagnostic procedure was analysis of intraocular fluids.

Conclusion: Diagnosis of masquerade syndromes should be considered in all patients with idiopathic corticosteroid-resistant chronic uveitis. Timely diagnosis and treatment may in case of malignant masquerade syndromes improve prognosis and sometimes gain control over this potentially lethal disease.