Histologic and immunohistochemical features of an epiretinal membrane overlying a combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium.

PURPOSE: To present the histologic and immunohistochemical findings of an epiretinal membrane overlying a combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium.

METHODS

An interventional case report.

RESULTS

A 17-year-old healthy girl with a history of congenital cataract presented with a combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium with prominent epiretinal membrane portion. Pars plana vitrectomy and membranectomy were performed, and the excised epiretinal membrane was submitted for routine histology and immunohistochemistry. Hematoxylin and eosin stain showed a monolayer of cells with an underlying basement membrane. Some of the nuclei were more epithelioid, consistent with retinal pigment epithelium (but without pigment in the cytoplasm), and other nuclei were more spindle-shaped, consistent with fibroglial elements. The initial immunostains suggested an admixture of retinal pigment epithelium and retinal elements.

CONCLUSION

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to use immunohistochemistry to elucidate the composition of these membranes. Future studies investigating the immunohistochemical profile of combined hamartomas are necessary.