Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous of the eye: imaging findings with pathologic correlation

Abstract

Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous is a rare benign developmental disorder of the globe in which the embryonic hyaloid artery fails to regress normally, resulting in abnormal lenticular development and secondary changes of the retina and globe. This entity often presents a diagnostic challenge as it is the most common intraocular abnormality to be confused with retinoblastoma. Sonography, CT, and MR imaging have been used alone and in combination to diagnose this condition. This essay illustrates the imaging characteristics of persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous in two children with unilateral disease and in one child with bilateral disease as representative cases (Figs. 1-3). Available pathologic correlates also are presented.