IRIS JUVENILE XANTHOGRANULOMA STUDIED BY IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY AND FLOW-CYTOMETRY

An unusual large tan iris mass in a 13-month-old child was removed by iridocyclectomy and studied by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. The excised mass consisted of granulomatous infla mmation with numerous osteoclast-like giant cells and scattered atypic al Touton giant cells. Immunohistochemistry studies showed that the ce lls were most consistent with mononuclear histiocytes. Flow cytometry showed that 90% of the cells sampled were T-lymphocytes, with a predom inance of T-suppresser cytotoxic cells. Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) of the iris can occur as a large solitary mass, without signs of intr aocular inflammation or hyphema.