ORBITAL MELANOMA PRESENTING AS ORBITAL CELLULITIS - A CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL REPORT

Most choroidal melanomas are diagnosed when the tumor is still relativ ely small and confined to the globe. Rarely, these tumors call escape detection and extend through the sclera. They can reach a large size a nd create significant orbital inflammation. The authors describe a 71- year-old man with orbital cellulitis secondary to a necrotic choroidal melanoma that invaded the orbit. This tumor had minimal intraocular i nvolvement with a large extrascleral component. On histopathologic ana lysis, the lesion was best classified as a spindle B melanoma with epi thelioid areas (mixed melanoma). The patient was treated with an enucl eation and postoperative radiation. This report demonstrates that mali gnancies in the orbit can present as acute infections. Early suspicion , diagnosis, and treatment of these lesions offer the best chance for survival.