Adenoma of the nonpigmented ciliary epithelium mimicking a malignant melanoma of the iris

Adenomas of the nonpigmented ciliary epithelium are rare tumors and are dif ficult to differentiate from amelanotic malignant melanomas of the ciliary body. We describe a 62-year-old woman with a nonpigmented, vascularized iri s tumor with small satellites involving the anterior chamber angle. Clinica lly, an amelanotic, tapioca, malignant melanoma of the iris was suggested a lthough the blood-aqueous barrier was intact. A block excision of 7.5 mm, a tectonic corneoscleral graft, and a simultaneous extracapsular cataract ex traction with implantation of a posterior chamber lens were performed. Hist opathologic and electron microscopic studies revealed an adenoma of the non pigmented ciliary epithelium. Postoperative visual acuity was 20/40 OD afte r 6 weeks. An adenoma of the nonpigmented ciliary epithelium may mimic an a melanotic malignant melanoma of the iris and should be considered in its di fferential diagnosis.