Bilateral Adult Epibulbar Xanthogranulomas Suspicious for Erdheim–Chester Disease

Unusual orbital, scleral and choroidal findings in Erdheim-Chester disease: a case report

This case report highlights a unique presentation of Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD) with bilateral scleral lesions, choroidal infiltration, and extensive sinus involvement. It is the first case report where the diagnosis was confirmed through a scleral biopsy after an initial presentation of a unilateral nodular scleritis. There was a gradual disease progression and ocular examination later revealed bilateral subconjunctival hyperemic lesions and mild exophthalmos, ophthalmoplegia, and extensive choroidal infiltration. Infiltration of the frontal and maxillary sinus was present and extended into the nasal cavity and both orbits. The diagnostic work-up is described in detail. Current treatment options are analyzed. It is emphasized that the ophthalmologist can play a crucial role in the diagnosis of ECD, given the substantial prevalence of orbital and ocular symptoms. The overall prognosis for ECD remains unfavorable, particularly in cases with orbital involvement. This case underscores the complexity and importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing ECD.

Erdheim-Chester disease and vemurafenib: a review of ophthalmic presentations and clinical outcomes

PURPOSE

To provide a comprehensive review of ocular and orbital manifestations of Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD) and compare clinical outcomes with vemurafenib (INN) to historical treatments (HT). Primary outcomes are ophthalmic findings on presentation, changes in visual acuity, and mortality rate. Secondary outcomes include the progression of ocular findings, systemic involvements, and treatment modalities.

METHODS

All published literature from January 1983 to March 2021 was searched for ophthalmic manifestations of ECD. Clinical outcomes following HT were collected and compared with INN.

RESULTS

Forty-seven patients with ECD and ophthalmic presentations were identified. The mean age was 49.6 years (SD = 15.0). Proptosis (65.6%) and extraocular muscle restrictions (42.5%) were the most common presenting signs. Of 41 (87.2%) patients with orbital masses on radiologic examination, 90.2% were bilateral, and 53.7% were located in the intraconal space. Ophthalmic examination was significant for xanthelasma (27.2%), optic disc edema (34.0%), and subretinal changes (21.3%). Common treatments were systemic steroids (76.6%), interferon-α (17.0%), and cyclophosphamide (14.9%). INN was less commonly used (12.8%). The mean change in logMAR visual acuity declined with HT (29.9%) but improved with INN (79.1%) (p > 0.05). The proportion of eyes with complete vision loss increased after HT (p < 0.05). The overall mortality rate was 27.7% and notably higher in the HT group (29.3%) when compared to the INN group (16.7%) (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

ECD presents with many ophthalmic manifestations. Although the intraocular treatments remain controversial, INN should be highly considered in treating orbital ECD patients with BRAF-V600E mutations to prevent and reverse vision loss.

Ocular Involvement in the Histiocytoses: A Literature Review with an Illustrative Case Series

Purpose: To describe and illustrate recent reclassification and clinical descriptions of the histiocytoses, diagnosis and management, and effects on the eye and adnexaePatients and methods: Literature review with an illustrative case series of seven patients with histiocytosis and ophthalmic involvement from a single tertiary centre.Results: Skin lesions with signs including eyelid mass, orbital bone destruction, bizarre keratic precipitates, limbal or iris mass, haemorrhagic anterior uveitis, subretinal lesions of uncertain etiology, ischaemic retinopathy, optic neuropathy, and apparent steroid-resistant inflammations should be comprehensively investigated.Conclusions: Ophthalmic involvement in histiocytosis is rare. Clinical manifestations vary from limited single-organ disease to lethal systemic infiltration or malignancy. Radiology may identify lesions for biopsy. Histology with appropriate markers is essential. Oncology advice may be required.

Adipophilin expression in skin lesions with clear cell histology

AIMS

Clear cells formed due to depositions of glycogen or lipids in the cytoplasm commonly occur in various tissues. Adipophilin (ADP), a lipid regulatory protein, is closely related to lipid droplets. This study aims to examine adipophilin expression in clear cells of various skin lesions.

METHODS

ADP expression was examined using immunohistochemistry in 108 sections from 15 skin lesion types with clear cell histology, namely, sebaceoma (n=16), sebaceous adenoma (n=3), sebaceous carcinoma (n=12), xanthomata cutis (n=10), xanthogranuloma (n=8), Paget's disease (n=10), Bowen disease (n=10), hidradenoma (n=9), atypical lipoma (n=5), superficial lipomatous nevus (n=5), metastatic renal cell carcinoma (n=5), squamous cell carcinoma (n=4), seborrheic keratosis (n=4), dermatofibroma (n=4) and clear cell sarcoma (n=3).

RESULTS

ADP was not expressed in Bowen disease, hidradenoma or seborrheic keratosis. Four expression patterns, foamy, reticular, granular and punctate, were summarised based on their expression in clear cells. Different expression patterns were related to tissue origin and differentiation degree. Foamy expression was commonly observed in lesions with mature sebaceous glands and xanthomas; reticular expression in adipocytes; granular expression in xanthoma, xanthogranuloma and metastatic renal carcinoma and punctate expression in sebaceoma, sebaceous carcinoma, Paget's disease, squamous cell carcinoma and clear cell sarcoma. Furthermore, stronger staining with focal vesicular labelling was noted in sebaceoma than in sebaceous carcinoma. Characteristic labelling was noted, including the circular distribution in Touton giant cells of xanthogranulomas and focal distribution in the clear cells along the edge of necrotic tissue in clear cell sarcoma.

CONCLUSIONS

ADP is useful in identifying intracytoplasmic lipids and can be used to diagnose skin lesions with clear cell histology, especially in some lesions with characteristic labelling.

Unilateral Adult Xanthogranulomatous Infiltration of the Conjunctiva, Limbus and Sclera Leading to a Combined Ophthalmic Artery and Central Retinal Vein Occlusion

Objective

To describe the features of a female patient with a biopsy-proven xanthogranulomatous infiltration of the conjunctiva, limbus and sclera who had an exudative retinal detachment, combined ophthalmic artery and central retinal vein occlusion unilaterally.

Method

A-53-year old otherwise healthy woman presenting with a painful visual loss in her right eye underwent an ophthalmic examination, meticulous systemic work-up and histopathologic assessment.

Results

Ophthalmic examination revealed multiple subconjunctival masses, upper limbal infiltrations, trace cells in the anterior chamber, pale looking posterior fundus, 360 degree scattered retinal hemorrhages and marked exudative retinal detachment in her right eye. Left eye was completely normal.A biopsy taken from one of the subconjunctival masses demonstrated a diffuse infiltration of the histiocytes and this was interpreted as a xanthogranulomatous infiltration with the help of immunohistochemical staining techniques.

Conclusion

Present case is the only reported adult case with xanthogranulomatous-like infiltration of the eyeball featuring both anterior and posterior segment involvement without any concomitant major systemic disturbances.