Bacillary angiomatosis of the conjunctiva.
A 70-year-old man had unilateral congestion of the right upper eyelid, which contained a nodular mass. A biopsy was performed, and histologic, immunocytochemical, and ultrastructural studies disclosed a pseudoneoplastic proliferation of endothelial cells and pericytes in a region containing clumps of bacteria. This combination of histologic features is characteristic of bacillary angiomatosis, which has been described in the skin, particularly in association with immunodeficient states, especially acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, but not in the conjunctiva. A second biopsy contained a diffuse polyclonal lymphocytic infiltrate in which large lymphocytes with irregular nuclei and mitotic figures were prominent. Systemic examination disclosed mild splenomegaly and a benign paraproteinemia. Treatment with topical gentamicin and systemic erythromycin brought about a complete resolution of the symptoms and signs within eight weeks, and there has been no sign of recurrence for the past two years.
Duke Scholars
Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Splenomegaly
- Ophthalmology & Optometry
- Ophthalmic Solutions
- Male
- Humans
- Gentamicins
- Eye Infections, Bacterial
- Erythromycin
- Conjunctival Diseases
- Angiomatosis, Bacillary
Citation
Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Splenomegaly
- Ophthalmology & Optometry
- Ophthalmic Solutions
- Male
- Humans
- Gentamicins
- Eye Infections, Bacterial
- Erythromycin
- Conjunctival Diseases
- Angiomatosis, Bacillary