title: Choroidal metastasis from submandibular salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma.
abstract: A case of choroidal metastasis from an adenoid cystic carcinoma ofsubmandibular salivary gland is described. A 50-year-old woman with loss of vision in her left eye for 1 week was evaluated clinically, radiologically, and pathologically. A fundus image of the left eye showed an amelanotic, plateau-shaped choroidal mass measuring 17 x 12 X 4 mm with overlying exudative retinal detachment. A choroidal biopsy was consistent with metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma from her submandibular salivary gland treated 5 years previously. She was treated with external beam radiotherapy but developed liver and lung metastases 3 months later and died within 1 month. All of the metastases demonstrated a basaloid histologic variant of adenoid cystic carcinoma that is known for its aggressive potential. Salivary gland carcinoma rarely metastasizes to the choroid; however, evaluation of patients with this carcinoma should include ophthalmic examination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Demirci
authors.forename: Andrew K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Vine
authors.forename: Victor M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Elner
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary*; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D013365:Submandibular Gland Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography