Conjunctival mucoepithelial hyperplasia of the elderly

Int Ophthalmol. 2015 Aug;35(4):611-4. doi: 10.1007/s10792-015-0083-5. Epub 2015 May 16.

Abstract

The ocular surface is exposed to many chronic inflammatory stimuli, and goblet cell hyperplasia of the conjunctiva occurs in many situations. We report two cases of epithelial goblet cell hyperplasia with nonspecific chronic inflammation which occurred on the internal canthus of elderly people. These cases shared the same clinicopathological features that mimicked neoplastic lesion macroscopically, but are composed of nonspecific inflammatory changes pathologically. Immunostaining of the tissue showed few IgG4+ plasma cells, and no neoplastic changes were observed. Both cases arose in elderly patients over the age of 80 years. Pathogenesis and clinical significance of the lesion is unclear, but it might be age related. Recognition of this diagnosis might help us avoid overdiagnosis of malignancy and to reach the correct diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Conjunctival Diseases / pathology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Goblet Cells / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Hyperplasia / pathology
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
  • Plasma Cells / immunology

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G