Spontaneous decalcification of a choroidal osteoma

Abstract

A 23-year-old woman presented with a clearly defined, pale orange choroidal tumor superior to the right optic disc in 1976. The patient was followed. After a choroidal osteoma was first reported in 1977, this diagnosis was confirmed in this patient using ultrasonography and orbital tomography. The lesion grew very slowly over the next 5 years. In 1981, the choroidal osteoma began to thin and decalcify. Subretinal neovascularization developed in 1982 and was treated with argon laser photocoagulation. In 1983, the tumor was thinner and less calcified. During the next 18 months, it became completely decalcified and essentially disappeared leaving only a bed of pigment epithelial and choriocapillaris atrophy. This was confirmed with fluorescein angiography and ultrasonography.