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Biomedical subjects

S Brownstein

Publications and source records attributed to S Brownstein.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the conjunctiva with intraocular invasion.

A 70-year-old man developed intraocular invasion from a recurrent tumor of the nasal perilimbal conjunctiva of the right eye six months after the original tumor had been resected. Examination of the enucleated right globe disclosed massive invasion of the nasal one-half of the anterior segment by a mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the conjunctiva. The neoplasm demonstrated mainly epidermoid features, including the production of a substantial amount of intraocular keratin. However, a segment of tumor along and within the iris stroma showed almost exclusively mucus-secretory features with a mucinous material within individual tumor cells and cysts lined by tumor cells. The original biopsy specimen demonstrated only the epidermoid and not the mucoid component of the carcinoma. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the conjunctiva appears to be more locally aggressive than conventional squamous cell carcinoma as is characterized by its tendency for early recurrence associated with a high incidence of intraocular and orbital invasion.

Aged↗

Nonglaucomatous cavernous degeneration of the optic nerve. Report of two cases.

The globes from two elderly women who underwent enucleation for malignant melanoma of the choroid showed cavernous degeneration of the optic nerve. Both individuals had prominent optic cups and a strong family history of severe cardiovascular disease; one patient also had mild anemia and substantial arteriosclerotic heart disease. Neither patient showed any clinical or histologic evidence of glaucoma. It is proposed that cavernous degeneration of the optic nerves in some patients may represent an aging change associated with generalized arteriosclerosis. Individuals with large optic cups may be more at risk of developing this condition.

Aged↗

Sandhoff's disease (GM2 gangliosidosis type 2). Histopathology and ultrastructure of the eye.

Sandhoff's disease (GM2 gangliosidosis type 2) was diagnosed in an infant in whom a progressive neurologic disorder and cherry-red foveal spots developed. At autopsy, ultrastructural examination of the retina and optic nerve disclosed abundant pleomorphic storage cytosomes in all neurons of the retina, including the inner segments of the photoreceptor cells, and in glial cells of the optic nerve. Electron microscopy of the cornea showed, within the keratocytes, distended clear lysosomes that contained some fibrillogranular material and an occasional collection of lamellae. We discuss the pathogenesis of the clinical and pathologic ocular findings with regard to the inherited absence of the enzymes hexosaminidase A and B and an accumulation of the substrates, GM2 ganglioside and asialo GM2, in the nervous system (including retina and optic nerve) and globoside and other hexosamine-containing substances in the viscera (including cornea).

Adolescent↗

Combined surgery and cryotherapy for diffuse malignant melanoma of the conjunctiva.

Two patients who had refused exenteration for widespread conjunctival melanoma were treated by a combination of cryotherapy and surgical excisions. Cryotherapy was delivered only to the extensive areas of flat intraepithelial melanocytic proliferation (precancerous melanosis), while the surgical excisions were performed on the focal nodules, representing localized invasive melanoma. In our two patients, the invasive nodules measured, respectively, 1.2 and 1.5 mm in greatest thickness, placing them in a low to borderline risk group for metastasis. Repeated cryoapplicatons were required to control the widespread flat intraepithelial disease. The conjunctiva tolerated these procedures well because the substantia propria is not sacrificed as it must be in surgical conjunctivectomy, allowing comparatively normal reepithelialization to occur from adjacent zones, after the treated epithelium containing the melanocytes sloughs. No evidence of invasive melanoma (cancerous melanosis) has developed in any of the cryotreated areas of intraepithelial disease (precancerous melanosis); sequential biopsies have established that the atypical melanocytes have disappeared from the epithelium.

Adult↗

Eccrine sweat gland carcinoma of the eyelid with orbital involvement.

A 70-year-old man had a sweat gland carcinoma in his right upper eyelid that was slowly growing, but it clinically remained confined to the lid tissues for a period of 25 years. The tumor ultimately extended deeper into the orbit and invaded the sclera, the optic nerve sheath, and the ethmoidal sinuses. Histopathologic examination disclosed malignant features with a variety of cellular patterns. The results of electron microscopic studies confirmed the origin of the tumor from the eccrine sweat glands.

Aged↗

Masquerade syndrome.

A 52-year-old man experienced chronic blepharoconjunctivitis of the right eye of the three years' duration that was unresponsive to medications. Conjunctival cytologic examinations suggested carcinoma and this was confirmed. However, only a full-thickness eyelid biopsy established that the tumor was a sebaceous carcinoma. We discuss the importance of considering this condition in all cases of unilateral, persistent, or recurrent eyelid inflammation resistant to the usual therapy; the diagnostic value of conjunctival scrapings and full-thickness lid biopsy; and the necessity of interpretation of the biopsy material by a pathologist experienced with, and alerted to look for, this neoplasm. Early recognition of sebaceous carcinoma followed by prompt adequate therapy should improve the survival of patients with this rare but malignant tumor.

Blepharitis↗

Mucosal cyst of lacrimal gland fossa simulating lacrimal gland neoplasm.

A 28-year-old man presented with an orbital tumour that was localized by computérized tomography to the fossa of the right lacrimal gland. A benign mixed tumour of the lacrimal gland was the clinical diagnosis, but lateral orbitotomy revealed a subperiosteal cystic mass in the lacrimal gland fossa that extended superiorly and medially into the frontal sinus. Light microscopic examination showed a cyst lined by nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium with occasional goblet cells; blood products were present in the lumen, and a chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate was noted in the subepithelial tissue. The possible origins of this mucosal tissue are discussed.

Adult↗

Peter's anomaly with congenital aphakia.

An Inuit boy was born with microphthalmia and a central corneal opacity of the right globe. Histopathologic examination revealed a central adherent corneal leukoma (Peter's anomaly) as well as absence of the lens. We are not aware of other well documented histopathologic reports of congenital aphakia and Peter's anomaly occurring in the same eye.

Aphakia↗

Inverted papilloma of the conjunctiva.

We encountered inverted papilloma of the conjunctiva in three cases. To the best of our knowledge, this tumor, which typically involves the nose, paranasal sinuses, and lacrimal sac, has not been described previously in the conjunctiva. Two of the tumors occurred as purely inverted lesions of the inner canthal region )caruncle and plica) and the third as a mixed inverted-exophytic papilloma over the tarsus. Melanotic pigmentation in one of the lesions was clinically confused with malignant melanoma. Because of the high incidence of recurrence of these tumors in the sinuses and lacrimal sac, and their unknown biologic behavior in the conjunctiva, inverted papillomas should be removed completely and the patients carefully observed.

Aged↗

Pseudophakic bullous keratopathy. A clinical-pathologic analysis.

Of 226 patients who had an intraocular lens implanted over a three year period, 6.2% developed bullous keratopathy compared with 2.2% of 90 patients who had a standard cataract extraction performed by the same surgeon. An additional 4.0% of the lens implant patients developed peripheral or intermittent corneal edema. The factors related to the higher incidence of this complication in lens implant patients included corneal touch during implantation, prolonged postoperative iritis and, in cases of mild or peripheral corneal edema without bullous keratopathy, recurrent lens dislocation. The most consistent pathologic findings in 10 corneas that required keratoplasty were epithelial edema and loss of corneal endothelium. Means to prevent this complication are discussed.

Aged↗

Malignant melanoma of the conjunctiva after 11 years.

A 76-year-old lady presented with a conjunctival malignant melanoma, which had been incompletely excised 10 years earlier. After rapid and massive growth of the tumor, which was later removed along with the globe, there was no evidence of local or systemic recurrence during 22 months of observation until the patient died of unknown causes. Pathological examination of the ocular tissues obtained at operation showed intraocular extension of tumor into Schlemm's canal and the presence of tumor cells in vascular channels in the limbal region.

Aged↗

Optic nerve in globoid leukodystrophy (Krabbe's disease). Ultrastructural changes.

Globoid leukodystrophy (Krabbe's disease) was diagnosed in an infant in whom a progressive neurological disorder and optic atrophy developed. At autopsy, ultrastructural examination of the optic nerves and cerebral white matter revealed characteristic tubular inclusions in globoid-epithelioid cells. Thinning of the nerve fiber and ganglion cell layers of the retina appeared to be due to retrograde degeneration of the optic nerve related to the abnormal metabolism of myelin. We discuss the pathogenesis of the clinical and pathological ocular findings, with regard to the inherited absence of the enzyme galactocerebroside beta-galactosidase and the accumulation in the optic nerve and brain of its substrates, galactocerebroside and psychosine.

Brain↗

Cystoid macular edema with equatorial choroidal melanoma.

Symptoms and signs related to cystoid macular edema were the initial findings in a patient with a choroidal malignant melanoma located in the equatorial region of the globe. Histopathologic findings included retinal perivasculitis and cystoid macular edema. There was no evidence of a serous detachment of the macula. Patients with cystoid macular edema should be carefully examined for tumors or other pathological findings in the peripheral fundus.

Adult↗

Specificity of tumor-associated antibodies in sera of patients with uveal melanoma.

We have identified antibodies against cytoplasmic components of allogeneic uveal melanoma cells in the sera of 16 of 31 patients with proven intraocular melanoma. Similar antibodies were found in 27% of controls and in 24% of patients with uveal nevi. The antibodies in these 3 groups of subjects were absorbed by components of uveal and cutaneous melanoma cells but not by those of normal choroidal melanocytes, normal uvea and retinal pigment epithelium, dermal nevus, pigmented skin or fetal cells. We found that specificity of the antibodies was also demonstrated by absence of reactivity with normal choroidal melanocytes, loss of reactivity after immune blocking, and absence of reactivity of melanoma antigen with conjugated antihuman immunoglobulin alone. Attempted absorption of the conjugated antihuman immunoglobulin by components of uveal melanoma cells did not alter the reactivity of the conjugated antihuman immunoglobulin.

Antibodies↗

Immunological studies in patients with malignant melanoma of the uvea.

Antibodies directed against different components of ocular melanoma cells were identified by indirect immunofluorescence in the sera of 12 patients with histologically proven malignant melanoma of the uvea. Antibodies reacing with autologous surface membrane antigens were found only in the sera of the 5 patients with the smallest tumors. The sera from most of the patients with small, large, or extraocular tumor contained antibodies directed against autologous cytoplasmic components while about one-half of the tests for antibodies reacting with allogeneic cytoplasmic antigens were positive. The incidence of positive tests with cytoplasmic antigens, in 67 patients with clinically diagnosed benign uveal nevi and 56 other individuals not showing evidence of proliferative lesions of uveal melanocytes, was 25%.

Adult↗

Anophthalmos. Report of two cases.

Two infants were found to have bilateral anophthalmos and other congenital anomalies. Secondary anophthalmia was diagnosed in one patient who showed malformations of the brain and an absence of ocular tissues including the optic nerves. The other patient had degenerative (consecutive) anophthalmos; fragments of ocular tissues including the optic nerves were found in the orbits.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Uveal melanoma presenting as post-traumatic choroidal hemorrhage and panophthalmitis.

A 63-year-old Caucasian man presented with loss of vision in one eye. The loss of vision was considered to be due to a post-traumatic intraocular hemorrhage. He developed panophthalmitis 3 months later and necrosis in a malignant melanoma was diagnosed. The diagnosis of melanoma in patients with blind eyes and opaque ocular media is discussed.

Choroid↗