Intraocular hemangiopericytoma

Abstract

A 40-year-old woman had an intraocular lesion consistent with a choroidal hemangioma. Xenon arc photocoagulation was applied to reduce subretinal fluid, and the lesion remained stationary until the patient's death eight years later. The lesion was composed of spindle-shaped and ovoid cells with numerous inconspicuous capillaries. The tumor cells were surrounded by reticulin-positive fibers. The diagnosis of hemangiopericytoma was confirmed by electron microscopy, which demonstrated proliferating pericytes associated with basal lamina. Although hemangiopericytomas are occasionally found in the orbit, to our knowledge this report is the first of an intraocular hemangiopericytoma. Because the pericyte is an integral component of the choroidal vasculature, the origin of this tumor in the choroid is not unexpected. The diagnosis of hemangiopericytoma should be considered when evaluating vascular choroidal lesions.