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Atypical retinal astrocytic hamartoma diagnosed by fine-needle biopsy.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Shields, JA; Shields, CL; Ehya, H; Buckley, E; De Potter, P
Published in: Ophthalmology
June 1996

BACKGROUND: Retinal astrocytic hamartoma and retinoblastoma may be very similar clinically, and their differentiation in atypical cases can be difficult, even with the use of ancillary methods such as fluorescein angiography, ultrasonography, and computed tomography. To the authors knowledge, fine-needle aspiration biopsy has not been used to diagnose astrocytic hamartoma in such cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 7-week-old boy had a minimally calcified retinal mass in the macular area of the left eye associated with an extensive secondary retinal detachment. The differential diagnosis included retinal astrocytic hamartoma and retinoblastoma. A transvitreal fine-needle aspiration biopsy was performed. RESULTS: The cytology of the needle biopsy showed benign spindle and stellate cells, which were compatible with glial cells. The lesion had immunoreactivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein, further supporting the diagnosis of astrocytic tumor. CONCLUSION: Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is diagnostically useful in unusual cases where the differential diagnosis between retinoblastoma and astrocytic hamartoma is difficult.

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Published In

Ophthalmology

DOI

ISSN

0161-6420

Publication Date

June 1996

Volume

103

Issue

6

Start / End Page

949 / 952

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Retinoblastoma
  • Retinal Detachment
  • Retina
  • Ophthalmology & Optometry
  • Male
  • Infant
  • Humans
  • Hamartoma
  • Fundus Oculi
  • Fluorescein Angiography
 

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Shields, J. A., Shields, C. L., Ehya, H., Buckley, E., & De Potter, P. (1996). Atypical retinal astrocytic hamartoma diagnosed by fine-needle biopsy. Ophthalmology, 103(6), 949–952. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0161-6420(96)30581-2
Shields, J. A., C. L. Shields, H. Ehya, E. Buckley, and P. De Potter. “Atypical retinal astrocytic hamartoma diagnosed by fine-needle biopsy.Ophthalmology 103, no. 6 (June 1996): 949–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0161-6420(96)30581-2.
Shields JA, Shields CL, Ehya H, Buckley E, De Potter P. Atypical retinal astrocytic hamartoma diagnosed by fine-needle biopsy. Ophthalmology. 1996 Jun;103(6):949–52.
Shields, J. A., et al. “Atypical retinal astrocytic hamartoma diagnosed by fine-needle biopsy.Ophthalmology, vol. 103, no. 6, June 1996, pp. 949–52. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/s0161-6420(96)30581-2.
Shields JA, Shields CL, Ehya H, Buckley E, De Potter P. Atypical retinal astrocytic hamartoma diagnosed by fine-needle biopsy. Ophthalmology. 1996 Jun;103(6):949–952.
Journal cover image

Published In

Ophthalmology

DOI

ISSN

0161-6420

Publication Date

June 1996

Volume

103

Issue

6

Start / End Page

949 / 952

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Retinoblastoma
  • Retinal Detachment
  • Retina
  • Ophthalmology & Optometry
  • Male
  • Infant
  • Humans
  • Hamartoma
  • Fundus Oculi
  • Fluorescein Angiography