Orbital melanoma masquerading as a “Galloping haemangioma”

ABSTRACT

We describe a 32-year-old pregnant woman who was referred to our clinic after 6 weeks of observation elsewhere with a rapidly expanding orbital mass, proptosed globe and slowly decreasing of vision in her left eye. To our examination the patient presented with congested optic disc fine macular striae and some slight choroidal elevation without any retinal pigmentation. An MRI scan without contrast was performed, suggesting the signal charactheristics of an orbital mass consistent with a cellular lesion such as a cavernous hemangioma or a solitary fibrous tumour. Despite the benign-looking imaging, the fast-growing pattern of the lesion suggested a more sinister picture. A fine needle aspiration of the orbital mass was carried out, revealing the presence of an amelanotic melanoma. This case highlights the importance of considering the presence of a melanoma when there is a clear history of a rapid lesion progression.

KEYWORDS:

• Amelanotic melanoma
• cavernous hemangioma
• MRI
• orbit
• paramagnetic melanin

Declaration of interest

The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Funding

Professor Geoffrey Rose receives some funding from the National Institute of Health Research, Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology.

Additional information

Funding

Professor Geoffrey Rose receives some funding from the National Institute of Health Research, Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology.