Structure of iris neoplasms in children and adolescents

Abstract

AIM: To describe clinical cases of iris neoplasms in children and adolescents.
 MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was based on retrospective and prospective analyses of children and adolescents with iris neoplasia from January 2018 to April 2022. During this period, 44 children with suspected iris neoplasia, including 20 boys and 24 girls, applied to the outpatient department; their ages ranged from 6 months to 17 years (9.15 years). The diagnosis was based on a comprehensive examination of patients including clinical and instrumental methods. Biomicroscopy, ultrasound investigation including ultrasound biomicroscopy, and when necessary, optical coherence tomography of the anterior eye region were performed. When it was impossible to establish the diagnosis due to the childs age, the examination was performed under general anesthesia in the ocular oncology and radiology department.
 RESULTS: Of the 44 iris lesions, nevus was found in 32 (72.7%) patients, iris melanosis in 3 (6.8%), cysts in 5 (11.3%), heterochromia in 1 (2.3%), floccula in 1 (2.3%), hamartroma in 1 (2,3%), and melanocytoma in1 (2,3%). The majority of the patients with these lesions are observed in the outpatient department. From January 2018 to April 2022, six children with iris lesions were examined in the department of ophthalmo-oncology and radiology under general anesthesia; accordingly, two children received dynamic observation, two underwent iridectomy, and two others underwent YAG-laser cystotomy and cystodestruction. Two iridectomies were also performed among adolescents. Histological diagnosis was verified in four patients after iridectomy: iris stromal cyst, iris pigment epithelium cyst, melanocytoma, and iris spindle cell nevi were detected.
 CONCLUSION: According to the observation data, iris nevi were most common (72.7%), followed by cysts (11.3%) and melanosis (6.8%) of the iris. Heterochromia, floccules, and hamartomas, and melanocytoma of the iris had equal frequency (2.3%).