Syphilitic scleritis and choroidal malignant melanoma of the same eye

Semin Ophthalmol. 2007 Jul-Sep;22(3):193-5. doi: 10.1080/08820530701522325.

Abstract

A 42-year-old Italian homosexual presented with a red painful eye associated with exudative retinal detachment that was subsequently attributed to syphilitic posterior scleritis. These findings all resolved with intravenous penicillin therapy. However, choroidal mass lesion persisted and subsequent ancillary imaging including B scan and ultrasonography confirmed the presence of a choroidal melanoma, which was treated with radioactive plaque therapy. This case report will describe the interesting findings of this unique presentation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brachytherapy
  • Choroid Neoplasms / complications*
  • Choroid Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Choroid Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Fundus Oculi
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Melanoma / complications*
  • Melanoma / diagnosis
  • Melanoma / radiotherapy
  • Penicillins / administration & dosage
  • Penicillins / therapeutic use
  • Scleritis / complications*
  • Scleritis / microbiology*
  • Syphilis / complications*
  • Syphilis / drug therapy
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Penicillins