Azzopardi Phenomenon in a Non-neoplastic Phthisical Eye: A Case Report

Wasee Tulvatana,Somboon Keelawat,Panitee Luemsamran,Roy Chumdermpadetsuk

doi:10.2174/1874364102115010288

Abstract

Objective: The Azzopardi phenomenon, known as the deoxyribonucleic acid deposition on various structures due to cellular necrosis, has never been reported in non-neoplastic eyes. Methods: We report a case of a 48-year-old man who had congenital nystagmus with poor vision in both eyes, presented with decreased vision and photophobia in his left eye. An exudative retinal detachment was found, which did not respond to systemic steroid treatment. Glaucoma due to occlusio pupillae was later developed. Laser iridotomy and anti-glaucoma medications decreased intraocular pressure to an acceptable level. Vision in the left eye gradually deteriorated during the 10-year clinical course. Evisceration was finally performed due to persistent dull aching ocular pain along with signs of ocular hypotony Results: Histopathological examination showed phthisis bulbi and focal nodular retinal gliosis. The Azzopardi phenomenon was found at the retinal vessel walls, within the retinal layers and along the internal limiting membrane. There was neither evidence of intraocular tumors nor foreign bodies. Conclusion: This case demonstrated that the Azzopardi phenomenon could be present in a non-neoplastic eye with a longstanding disease that proceeds to phthisis bulbi.

Highlights

The Azzopardi phenomenon, or the Azzopardi effect, was first described by John G
The hematoxyphil sheaths around blood vessel walls at the necrotic foci of the oat-cell carcinoma, which was initially believed to be calcification, were first proven by Azzopardi to be the deposition of breakdown products of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) liberated from degenerated tumor cells
The material displayed a positive Feulgen reaction and was negative with stains for calcium. He found that almost one-third of oat-cell carcinoma specimens had demonstrated this finding

Summary

Introduction

The Azzopardi phenomenon, or the Azzopardi effect, was first described by John G. The material displayed a positive Feulgen reaction and was negative with stains for calcium. He found that almost one-third of oat-cell (small cell) carcinoma specimens had demonstrated this finding. Most of the reported cases with the Azzopardi phenomenon were from rapidly growing and degenerating tumors, such as pulmonary small cell carcinoma [1, 2], extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma [3 - 5], Burkitt’s lymphoma [6], medulloblastoma [7], ependymoblastoma [7], Merkel cell carcinoma [8, 9], primary high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the esophagus [10], squamous cell carcinoma, and polymorphous low grade adenocarcinoma of the oral cavity and the salivary glands [11]

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Results

Conclusion