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. 2010 May;31(5):886-90.
doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A1947. Epub 2009 Dec 31.

MR imaging of adenomas of the nonpigmented ciliary epithelium of the eye

J Xian  1 , Q Xu, Z Wang, B Yang, W Wei, Z Yan, J Sun, J Shi, G S Young
Affiliations

MR imaging of adenomas of the nonpigmented ciliary epithelium of the eye

J Xian et al. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2010 May.

Abstract

Background and purpose: ANPCEs are rare benign tumors of the eye arising from the NPCE in adults, which may be clinically mistaken for melanoma. This study was undertaken to delineate clinical and MR imaging features of these tumors.

Materials and methods: Clinical presentation and MR imaging findings of 8 patients (6 women and 2 men; median age, 51 years) with pathologically confirmed ANPCEs were retrospectively reviewed. Location, size, shape, margin, signal intensity, and gadolinium-enhancement characteristics of all tumors were evaluated. Signal intensity and degree of enhancement were graded in comparison with the ipsilateral lacrimal gland.

Results: MR imaging revealed a circumscribed enhancing mass within the ciliary body of the eye in all 8 patients. The mass was ovoid in 6 patients and spheric in 2. Gadolinium enhancement was marked in 4 lesions and moderate in the other 4. Both T1 and T2 relaxation times were qualitatively identical to those in the lacrimal gland in 2 tumors. In the remaining 6 tumors, the T1 was identical to and the T2 longer than that in the lacrimal gland.

Conclusions: ANPCE should be included in the differential diagnosis of a spheric or ovoid enhancing ciliary body mass with T1 similar to that in the lacrimal gland and T2 equal to or longer than that in the lacrimal gland.

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Figures

Fig 1.
Fig 1.
Case 1. ANPCE in the left eye in a 45-year-old woman. Compared with the lacrimal gland tissue, the tumor (arrowhead) demonstrates isointensity on T1WI (A), hyperintensity on FSE T2WI (B), and marked enhancement on postcontrast T1WI (C). The tumor has a slightly irregular surface. Displacement of the lens is seen.
Fig 2.
Fig 2.
Case 4. ANPCE in the right eye in a 53-year-old woman. With respect to the lacrimal gland tissue, the tumor (arrowhead) shows isointensity on obliquely sagittal T1WI (A) and axial FSE T2WI (B) and moderate enhancement on axial postcontrast T1WI (C). Displacement of the lens (arrow, A) is identified. The iris is involved.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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