Conjunctival keratoacanthoma

Br J Ophthalmol. 2014 Feb;98(2):275-6, 285. doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2013-303999. Epub 2013 Nov 28.

Abstract

An 83-year-old man presented with a 1-month history of a rapidly enlarging conjunctival mass. On examination, slit lamp biomicroscopy revealed a leukoplakic tumour at the temporal limbus. The lesion was excised with cryotherapy application to the limbus and conjunctival margins. Histopathology revealed a keratoacanthoma (KA). KA typically occurs on sun-exposed areas of the skin. Conjunctival KA is very rare, and differentiation between conventional squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) and KA can be challenging. The present case highlights the indication for excisional surgery in patients with conjunctival KA using the no touch technique, cryotherapy, amniotic membrane and the histopathological differentiation between KA and SCCA.

Keywords: Conjunctiva; Cornea; Ocular surface; Pathology; Treatment Surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Conjunctiva / pathology*
  • Conjunctiva / surgery
  • Conjunctival Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Conjunctival Diseases / surgery
  • Cryosurgery
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Keratoacanthoma / diagnosis*
  • Keratoacanthoma / surgery
  • Male