[Contribution of in vivo confocal microscopy to diagnosis of invasive ocular surface squamous neoplasia: a case report].

INTRODUCTION

Ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) is the most common conjunctival and limbic malignant tumor that could resemble a pterygium in the early phase of the disease.

CASE REPORT: We report the case of a woman who presented with a limbic tumor of the left eye that was mistakenly diagnosed as a pterygium. An in vivo confocal microscopy examination using the HRTII Rostock Cornea Module and a surgical biopsy were performed. The in vivo confocal microscopy findings and the slit lamp examination showed characteristics that strongly supported the diagnosis of OSSN, and the histological examination of both biopsy and surgical exeresis (exenteration) confirmed the diagnosis of epidermoid carcinoma.

CONCLUSION

This case report underlines the value of in vivo confocal microscopy in the diagnosis of OSSN, particularly epidermoid carcinoma. This device could be helpful for the early differential diagnosis with pterygium.