Cutaneous malignant melanoma with diffuse intraocular metastases

Abstract

A 63-year-old man with a history of cutaneous melanoma and a 3-month history of visual loss in his right eye presented with marked pigmentation of the anterior-segment structures, including trabecular meshwork, iris, and lens surface, with pigment dispersion in the aqueous and anterior vitreous in the right eye. Clinical examination and echography showed no evidence of an intraocular tumor although metastatic melanoma was suspected. Pathologic examination revealed numerous heavily pigmented melanoma cells throughout the anterior segment of the eye, mainly concentrated in the anterior vitreous near the ciliary body. No discrete tumor was found on multiple sections through the globe.