Echographic findings in benign reactive lymphoid hyperplasia of the choroid

T. S. Chang, S. F. Byrne, J. D. Gass, J. R. Hughes, R. N. Johnson and T. G. Murray
Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami (Fla), USA.

BACKGROUND: Benign reactive lymphoid hyperplasia is an uncommon uveal tumor. Misdiagnosis may lead to unnecessary enucleations. Clinical evaluation alone is usually not sufficient to diagnose this tumor. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of standardized echography in the recognition of this disease. METHODS: Retrospective review of the medical and echographic records of 6 patients with choroidal involvement of benign reactive lymphoid hyperplasia. RESULTS: Extraocular episcleral lymphoid nodules were present in 5 of the 6 patients and were usually seen as a late manifestation of the disease. Two patients had repeated echography after treatment of the tumor and showed marked regression of the episcleral nodules. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of clinical and echographic findings can assist in the accurate diagnosis of this rare uveal tumor. The presence of episcleral nodules on standardized echography supports the diagnosis.