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Lim and colleagues provide a useful summary on Ocular Dermolipomas.
In addition to this, a very important differential diagnosis, a
Conjunctival Lymphoma, which has a completely different therapeutic
management plan needs to be highlighted.
This fleshy elevated lesion arises predominantly from the fornix, and
tends to extend towards the limbus. It is typically more pink-red in
colour, similar to that of a fresh salmon fillet, hence it is often called
a "Salmon Patch".
Although conjunctival lymphomas are more common later in life, they
can also occur in teenagers 1 and young adults. Conjunctival lymphomas
are usually MALT (mucosal associated lymphoid tissue) lymphomas.
Diagnosis is established by a positive biopsy with distinct
morphologic histological features. In addition to this, confirmation is
achieved by analysis of known immunologic and cytogenetic markers.
Patients with conjunctival lymphomas require a full systemic review
with investigations and radiological imaging to ascertain if the lymphoma
is local (limited only to the conjunctiva) or systemic, as this will
determine the modality of treatment.
1. Lucas RS, Mortimore R, Sullivan TJ, Waldie M. Interferon treatment
of childhood conjunctival lymphoma. Br J Ophthalmol 2003; Sep 87(9):1191.
An Important differential diagnosis
Lim and colleagues provide a useful summary on Ocular Dermolipomas.
In addition to this, a very important differential diagnosis, a
Conjunctival Lymphoma, which has a completely different therapeutic
management plan needs to be highlighted.
This fleshy elevated lesion arises predominantly from the fornix, and
tends to extend towards the limbus. It is typically more pink-red in
colour, similar to that of a fresh salmon fillet, hence it is often called
a "Salmon Patch".
Although conjunctival lymphomas are more common later in life, they
can also occur in teenagers 1 and young adults. Conjunctival lymphomas
are usually MALT (mucosal associated lymphoid tissue) lymphomas.
Diagnosis is established by a positive biopsy with distinct
morphologic histological features. In addition to this, confirmation is
achieved by analysis of known immunologic and cytogenetic markers.
Patients with conjunctival lymphomas require a full systemic review
with investigations and radiological imaging to ascertain if the lymphoma
is local (limited only to the conjunctiva) or systemic, as this will
determine the modality of treatment.
1. Lucas RS, Mortimore R, Sullivan TJ, Waldie M. Interferon treatment
of childhood conjunctival lymphoma. Br J Ophthalmol 2003; Sep 87(9):1191.
Competing interests: No competing interests