Multiple myeloma manifesting as an ocular salmon patch - a case report

Orbit. 2020 Oct;39(5):379-382. doi: 10.1080/01676830.2019.1691608. Epub 2019 Nov 13.

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most prevalent hematologic malignancy after non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is currently considered incurable. Clinical ophthalmic manifestations of MM are rare but at the same time diverse. Ocular surface manifestations of multiple myeloma are uncommon. Conjunctival 'salmon patch' is a typical ocular surface ophthalmological sign with a distinct set of differential diagnoses, including most often ocular adnexal lymphoma. This case report presents a 33-year-old female with a relapse of MM manifesting as a conjunctival 'salmon patch'. The patient initially responded well to medical management including high dose melphalan supported by a third autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and did not require further surgical excision of the ocular lesion. It is suggested that MM should be included in the differential diagnosis of 'salmon patch' conjunctival lesions.

Keywords: Multiple myeloma; orbital; plasmacytoma; salmon patch.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / therapeutic use
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Conjunctiva / pathology*
  • Conjunctival Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Conjunctival Neoplasms / therapy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Melphalan / therapeutic use
  • Multiple Myeloma / diagnosis*
  • Multiple Myeloma / diagnostic imaging
  • Multiple Myeloma / therapy
  • Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Transplantation, Autologous

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • Melphalan