CHOROIDAL METASTASIS OF MIXED CARCINOMA OF THE PAROTID-GLAND

Background: A case of mixed carcinoma of the parotid gland (an epiderm oid carcinoma located in a pleomorphic adenoma) metastatic to the chor oid is presented. The histopathology of the tumor is discussed. Method s: A 65-year-old man was admitted complaining of blurred vision in his right eye for 1 day. He underwent parotidectomy for mixed carcinoma o f the parotid gland (an epidermoid carcinoma located in a pleomorphic adenoma that was completely excised) 6 months before. Funduscopic exam ination showed a nasal retinal detachment, with gray-whitish, minimall y elevated nodular choroidal lesions. Fluorescein angiography and cont act B-scan ultrasonography confirmed the presence of an underlying mas s. Results: The right eye was enucleated and an epidermoid infiltratin g carcinoma was identified. Conclusions: Metastatic tumors are the mos t common intraocular malignancies, and the choroid is by far the most common location for intraocular metastases. There are few cases report ed of parotid tumors metastatic to the orbit. To the best of our knowl edge, no histological examination of an ocular metastatic mixed carcin oma of the parotid gland has yet been reported.