Histopathologic study of corneal stromal dystrophies: a 10-year experience.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency and describe the histopathologic features of stromal corneal dystrophies over a 10-year period.


METHODS
A single-centered, retrospective analysis was performed on corneal specimens diagnosed as stromal dystrophies retrieved from the Henry C. Witelson Ophthalmic Pathology Laboratory and Registry (Montreal, Canada) over a period of 10 years. Corneal specimens obtained during keratoplasty were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, and other special staining.


RESULTS
During the period of the study, 885 corneal specimens from penetrating keratoplasties were received. Twenty-six (2.9%) specimens from a total of 22 patients showed stromal corneal dystrophies: 17 (65.4%) eyes with lattice dystrophy, 5 (19.2%) eyes with combined granular/lattice ("Avellino") dystrophy, 3 (11.5%) eyes with granular dystrophy, and 1 (3.9%) eye with macular dystrophy.


CONCLUSIONS
Corneal stromal dystrophies have distinct histopathologic features, which can be diagnosed with routine and special staining, particularly for combined granular/lattice (Avellino) dystrophy. Clinically, combined granular/lattice (Avellino) dystrophy can have features of both lattice and granular dystrophies, which can be misleading for diagnosis. Lattice dystrophy was the most frequent stromal dystrophy in this particular population.
Santos
Leonardo N
LN
Department of Ophthalmology and Pathology, The McGill University Health Center & Henry C. Witelson Ocular Pathology Laboratory, Montreal, Canada. leonnsantos@gmail.com
Fernandes
Bruno F
BF
de Moura
Leticia Rielo
LR
Cheema
Devinder P
DP
Maloney
Shawn
S
Logan
Patrick
P
Burnier
Miguel N
MN
D000328:Adult; D003317:Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies