Semicircular tumor of the iris and uveitis as unilocal manifestation of sarcoidosis

Abstract

PURPOSE: To describe an unusual manifestation of sarcoidosis as a large tumor of the iris and ciliary body without any other involvement of the body. METHODS: We describe a 20-year-old female presenting with a granulomatous tumor of the right iris and ciliary body and concomitant uveitis. RESULTS: Extensive ocular and systemic workup revealed the tumor to be a large solitary sarcoid granuloma. As systemic steroids were not able to control the activity of the uveitis and granuloma, only the initiation of immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine A achieved a lasting remission. CONCLUSION: The possibility of an exclusively ocular sarcoidosis should always be kept in mind despite negative regular screening tests. In these cases, a biopsy should be considered and immunosuppressive agents like cyclosporine A should be evaluated in cases not responding to first-line treatment with systemic steroids.