Astrocytoma of the ciliary body.

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 x 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.