Bilateral inflammatory pseudotumors of the ciliary body.

Non-neoplastic inflammatory pseudotumors have been reported to arise at extraocular sites within the orbit" as well as in the posterior uveal tract."* Since their clinical appearance was indistinguishable from that of a malignant melanoma of the choroid, psuedotumors presenting as intraocular masses have been treated by enucleation and their true nature was not apparent until histologic examination of the eye had been per­ formed. The case that is presented here is the first to our knowledge in which intraocular in­ flammatory pseudotumors presented initially as bilateral masses of the anterior uvea. This report illustrates that a nonspecific inflam­ matory process, reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, may reach large proportions suggesting the diagnosis of tumor. Thus, such a pseudotumor should be considered in the differen­ tial diagnosis of mass lesions of the anterior uveal tract. This case is of additional interest because of the patient's striking response to corticosteroids administered systemically as compared to the topical or subconjunctival route.