CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF SATELLITE LESIONS IN NONTUBERCULOUS MYCOBACTERIAL KERATITIS

Multifocal stromal infiltrates or ''satellite lesions'' have been cons idered a characteristic feature of fungal keratitis. We examined two p atients with nontuberculous mycobacterial keratitis who clinically pre sented with satellite lesions. The keratitis consisted of multifocal s tromal infiltrates with indistinct white and fluffy margins. Both pati ents received topical fortified amikacin therapy with poor response. L amellar keratectomy or penetrating keratoplasty was performed, respect ively, in the two patients because of progressive stromal thinning and enlarging satellite lesions. Histopathologically, the main lesions co nsisted of dense infiltration of inflammatory cells with numerous acid -fast bacilli, while the satellite lesions were composed chiefly of in flammatory cells with fewer mycobacteria. Besides fungal keratitis, no ntuberculous mycobacterial keratitis should also be considered when sa tellite lesions are present. (C) 1998 Japanese Ophthalmological Societ y.