Transscleral choroidal biopsy in the diagnosis of choroidal lymphoma

A 57-year-old man with non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma of the abdominal lymph nodes developed moderate cells in thr anterior chamber and vitreous, choro idal infiltration, and total non-rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in both eyes while receiving chemotherapy. After a diagnostic vitrectomy in the lef t eye was nonrevealing, the patient was referred to the oncology service. F ine-needle aspiration biopsy of the choroidal infiltrate was not done becau se of poor visualization of the choroid through the turbid subretinal fluid . Transscleral choroidal biopsy was performed without complications and dis closed diffuse high-grade B-cell lymphoma and no signs of endogenous infect ion. Transscleral choroidal biopsy is a useful technique in eyes with choro idal infiltration, especially when hazy media prohibit fine needle biopsy. (Surv Ophthalmol 43:551-555, 1999. (C) 1999 by Elsevier Science Inc. All ri ghts reserved.).