title: Conjunctival mascaroma masquerading as melanoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a conjunctival mass composed of keratin with mascara deposition that clinically simulated a melanoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 50-year-old woman, who used mascara for 20 years, was referred for a conjunctival mass that was suspected to be melanoma. Excisional biopsy was performed, and the lesion was studied histopathologically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The lesion consisted of conjunctival epithelium with a keratin plaque that contained multiple dark particles that exhibited birefringence with polarized light. The final diagnosis was conjunctival hyperkeratosis containing foreign bodies compatible with mascara deposition. The patient continues to use mascara, and there is no recurrence after 12 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Deposition of mascara can assume tumorous proportions and simulate a conjunctival melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Oncology Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. jerry.shields@shieldsoncology.com
authors.forename: Jerry A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Shields
authors.forename: Brian P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Marr
authors.forename: Carol L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Shields
authors.forename: Ralph C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Eagle
mesh_terms: D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005129:Eye Foreign Bodies / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D003358:Cosmetics