Pigmented adenoma of the optic nerve head simulating a melanocytoma.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this report is to describe a clinicopathologic correlation of an unusual pigmented tumor of the optic nerve head, to point out that such a lesion can simulate clinically a melanocytoma of the optic disc, and to discuss the differential diagnosis of pigmented epipapillary lesions.


RESULTS
Histopathologic studies of the affected eye showed a peculiar pigmented tumor of the optic disc that was compatible with an adenoma arising from the juxtapapillary retinal pigment epithelium.


CONCLUSIONS
Adenoma of the retinal pigment epithelium can closely simulate a melanocytoma of the optic disc. There are some clinical features that may serve to differentiate the two lesions.
Shields
J A
JA
Ocular Oncology Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
Eagle
R C
RC
Shields
C L
CL
De Potter
P
P
D000236:Adenoma / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006222:Hamartoma / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D008544:Melanocytes; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000473:pathology*; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000473:pathology*; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000473:pathology