Purpose: To report the occurrence of an astrocytoma of the ciliary body. Methods: The patient was evaluated by ophthalmoscopic examination (including color ultrasonography and ultrasound biomicroscopy) as well as operating therapy. Histopathology and immunocytochemical analysis were performed. Results: A 29-year-old woman was found to have a left ciliary body tumor. Color ultrasonography revealed a 12 × 10 mm size, a low-level echo boundary, and a bright echogenic band. Ultrasound biomicroscopy showed that the lesion was located in the superior temporal quadrant of the ciliary body and extended backward for 6 mm from the limbus. The tumor was carefully dissected free and completely removed via episcleral incision. Histopathology revealed a fibrillary astrocytoma. Staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein yielded positive results and neuron-specific enolase yielded negative results. Conclusions: We describe an astrocytoma of the ciliary body in a patient, which is an extremely rare ocular tumor. Histopathology and immunocytochemical analysis were required to establish the diagnosis.

Keywords:
Astrocytoma, Tumor, Ciliary body
1.
Naeser P, Möller P: Astrocytoma of the ciliary body: a clinicopathological case report. Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh) 1985;63:28–30.
2.
Spencer WH, Jesberg DO: Glioneuroma (choristomatous malformation of the optic cup margin): a report of two cases. Arch Ophthalmol 1973;89:387–391.
3.
Kuhlenbeck H, Haymaker W: Neuroectodermal tumors containing neoplastic neuronal elements: ganglioneuroma, spongioneuroblastoma, and glioneuroma. Mil Med 1946;99:273–292.
4.
Farber MG, Smith ME, Gans LA: Astrocytoma of the ciliary body. Arch Ophthalmol 1987;105:536–537.
© 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel
2008
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.