Malignant Melanoma in a Case of Bilateral Nevus of Ota

Abstract

THE NEVUS of Ota is characterized by melanosis oculi associated with ipsilateral pigmentation of the tissues around the eye. The condition is quite common in Orientals but occurs less frequently in whites and Negroes. Malignant change has never been recorded in Orientals, and there are only eight reported cases of uveal melanomas developing in a nevus of Ota in whites.^1-8This is in contrast to the more common occurrence (25%) of extraocular or intraocular malignant melanomas developing in cases of melanosis oculi.⁹The condition is bilateral in less than 5% of the cases.¹⁰ The purpose of this paper is to record the unique occurrence of a malignant melanoma of the ciliary body in the right eye of a patient with<i>bilateral</i>nevus of Ota, associated with multiple nevi flammei and vitiligo. No similar case has been reported previously. <h3>Report of a Case</h3> A 58-year-old white priest was