J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2010 Sep;51(9):1276-1281. 10.3341/jkos.2010.51.9.1276.

A Case of Conjunctival Lymphangioma With Clinical Manifestations of Superior Limbic Keratoconjunctivitis After Upper Lid Blepharoplasty

• Kim KY
• Lee YS
• Lee HJ
• Park IK
• Jin KH

• KMID: 2122297
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2010.51.9.1276

Abstract

PURPOSE
To report a case of conjunctival lymphangioma with clinical manifestations of superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis after upper lid blepharoplasty.
CASE SUMMARY
A 55-year-old woman who had upper lid blepharoplasty performed 1 year before complained of pain, injection, and blurred vision in her right eye, which lasted for 2 days. The slit lamp examination revealed a poorly demarcated hypertrophic lesion with central erosion on the superior bulbar conjunctiva and a diffuse corneal erosion and edema in the area of the superior limbus. Tenderness of the superior bulbar conjunctiva and corneal erosion were treated with artificial tears, antibiotic eye drops, and a therapeutic contact lens. Slight anterior chamber reaction was found and treated by steroid eye drops; however, there was no improvement. After eversion of the right upper eyelid with a Desmarres retractor, a hypertrophic lesion with central dimpling was found. However, no exposed sutures were observed. Resection and biopsy of the superior bulbar conjunctiva and a subtarsal triamcinolone injection were performed for diagnosis and treatment. A conjunctival biopsy specimen showed conjunctival lymphangioma.
CONCLUSIONS
Conjunctival lymphangioma can occur due to pressure and friction of an eyelid lesion after upper lid blepharoplasty.

Keyword

Conjunctival lymphangioma; Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis; Upper lid blepharoplasty

MeSH Terms

Anterior Chamber
Biopsy
Blepharoplasty
Conjunctiva
Edema
Eye
Eyelids
Female
Friction
Humans
Keratoconjunctivitis
Lymphangioma
Middle Aged
Ophthalmic Solutions
Sutures
Triamcinolone
Vision, Ocular
Ophthalmic Solutions
Triamcinolone

Figure

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  Figure 1 Anterior segment photographs of the right superior bulbar conjunctiva at initial presentation. (A) Slit lamp examination revealed superior conjunctival injection, swelling and corrugation. (B) Fluorescein staining shows epithelial erosion at the superior bulbar conjunctiva.

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  Figure 2 Anterior segment photograph of the cornea near the limbus of the right eye at initial presentation. (A) Slit lamp examination revealed predominant epithelial defect with mild stromal edema. (B) Images were captured from video of subtarsal triamcinolone injection and superior bulbar conjunctival resection of the right eye. Dimpling lesion on the upper eyelid everted with Desmarres lid retractor considered as blepharoplasty scar (curved arrow).

• 

  Figure 3 Histopathologic finding of the superior bulbar conjunctiva. (A) Hematoxylin and eosin stain, ×40. (B) Immunohistochemical studies with D2-40 and showing positive staining (brown color) for lymphatic endothelium, ×100. The double headed arrows indicate dilated lymphatic vessels.

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  Figure 4 Respective influences of eyelid movements during blink. directions of eyelid movement are indicated by the arrows. (A) Protraction of the palpebral conjunctiva by hypertrophic lesion during the blink has enough force to squeeze the globe (and bulbar conjunctiva) backwards, so has ample power to propel bulbar conjunctiva towards the cornea. (B) Diagrammatic representation of forces producing suction (like using plunger). Dimpling lesion of the palpebral conjunctiva during eye opening has force to create a reciprocating motion along an axis, which then builds pressure in a cylinder. The pressure in the dimpling site actuates the suction force o bulbar conjunctiva.

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