ORBITAL SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA FOLLOWING RETINAL-DETACHMENT SURGERY

Background: Orbital squamous cell carcinoma following retinal detachme nt surgery is a rare condition. A proposed pathogenesis involves impla ntation of conjunctival squamous epithelium at the time of surgery, wi th subsequent malignant transformation. Methods/Results: An 81-year-ol d Caucasian man presented with a six-month history of a discharging pa inful red right eye. Ten years earlier a right scleral buckling with a n encircling sponge exoplant had been performed. Examination revealed exposure of the sponge, and a large mass in the superomedial conjuncti val fornix. Computed tomography revealed a mass invading around the gl obe in the region of the exoplant. Biopsy revealed squamous cell carci noma. Orbital exenteration was performed. Conclusion: Orbital squamous cell carcinoma may arise following retinal detachment surgery presuma bly due to iatrogenic conjunctival implantation deep in the orbit.