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Epithelial and fibrous downgrowth: mechanisms of disease

2002; Elsevier BV; Volume: 15; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0896-1549(01)00013-x

1558-3856

Sherleen Chen, R PINEDAII,

Skin and Cellular Biology Research

Epithelial invasion is a rare, but devastating, complication of anterior segment surgery or penetrating trauma. In 1832, MacKenzie first described epithelial cells invading the eye with the case of a semitransparent cyst growing in the anterior chamber after a perforating injury [53]. In 1937, Perera classified epithelial invasion into three forms: epithelial pearls, epithelial cysts, and diffuse sheets of epithelium, also known as epithelial downgrowth [65]. This classification scheme remains useful today, as these distinct entities have separate management and prognostic implications. Pearl tumors are the least common, usually seen after trauma when skin or hair follicles are implanted into the eye [84]. The epithelial wall may be keratinized, which creates a pearly or opaque appearance. These lesions are generally small, and most remain quiescent. Occasionally, they may expand to fill the anterior chamber, and if necessary, they may be completely excised, generally with good results [80].