Vitreous seeding from retinal astrocytoma in three cases.

PURPOSE: To report three cases of vitreous seeding from retinal astrocytoma.

METHODS

Retrospective, single-center case series.

RESULTS

An asymptomatic 8-year-old boy (Case 1) presented with a white juxtapapillary retinal tumor and extensive overlying large vitreous seeds. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) confirmed the diagnosis of benign retinal astrocytoma. A 5-year-old boy (Case 2) presented with a large, multilobulated, tan juxtapapillary retinal tumor. The mass had grown from 6.6 mm to 9.0 mm in thickness. Overlying localized vitreous seeds were present. FNAB revealed cells of astrocytic origin. Histopathologic analysis of the enucleated globe supported the diagnosis of retinal astrocytoma. A 14-year-old girl (Case 3) was referred with a white gelatinous mass overlying the optic disk and producing vitreous seeds. FNAB revealed cells of astrocytic origin. The tumor height increased from 2.5 mm to 5.5 mm, and total retinal detachment developed. After enucleation, the diagnosis of retinal astrocytoma was confirmed. In all three cases, the vitreous seeds were round to oblong and stringy in configuration. No patient manifested tuberous sclerosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Retinal astrocytoma can produce vitreous seeds, sometimes associated with tumor growth. Care should be taken to exclude the diagnosis of retinoblastoma.