Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The role of histopathology in the diagnosis and management of uveitis

  • Published:
International Ophthalmology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Intraocular inflammation/uveitis is one of the more poorly understood areas in the field of ophthalmology. We hope to improve this understanding by first reviewing the classic histopathologic approach to intraocular inflammation, and then by integrating that with the current role of histopathology in the diagnosis and management of uveitis. Herein, we will present a systematic approach, beginning with the most accessible conjunctival, lacrimal gland and lymph node biopsy sites; extending through anterior chamber tap, iris biopsy, and vitrectomy and ending with retinal or chorioretinal biopsy of distant organ sites. We will show how a combination of these histopathologic elements can aid in the diagnosis, and thereby the management, of intraocular inflammations and uveitis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Basic and Clinical Course, Section 3: Intraocular Inflammation, Uveitis, and Ocular Tumors. San Francisco, American Academy of Ophthalmology, 1988–89.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Culbertson WW, Blumenkranz MS, Pepose JS, Stewart JA, Curtin VT. Varicella zoster virus is a cause of the acute retinal necrosis syndrome. Opthalmology 1986; 93: 559–569.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Culbertson WW, Blumenkranz MS, Haines H, Gass DM, Mitchell KB, Norton EW. The acute retinal necrosis syndrome Part 2: Histopathology and etiology. Ophthalmology 1982; 89: 1317–1325.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Tessler HH, Schlaegel TF Jr. Miscellaneous uveitis syndromes. In: Duane TD, Jaeger EA, eds. Clinical Ophthalmology. Harper & Row, Publishers, Hagerstown, Maryland, 1986, p. 1.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Michelson JB, Nozik RA, Smith RE. In: Duane TD, Jaeger EA, eds. Uveitis surgery. Harper & Row, Publishers, Hagerstown, Maryland, 1986: 11.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Duke-Elder S, Perkins ES (eds). System of Ophthalmology, Vol. 9. Diseases of the uveal tract. St. Louis: CV Mosby, 1966: 889.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Engel HM, Green WR, Michels RG, Rice TA, Eroazn YS, et al. Diagnostic vitrectomy. Retina 1981; 1: 121–49.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Fisher JP, Lewis ML, Blumenkranz M, Culbertson WW, Flynn Jr HW, Clarkson JG, Gass JDM, Norton EWD. The acute retinal necrosis syndrome Part 1: Clinical manifestations. Ophthalmology 1982; 89: 1309–1316.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Freeman LN, Schachat AP, Knox DL, Michels RG, Green WR. Clinical features, laboratory investigations, and survival in ocular reticulum cell sarcoma. Ophthalmology 1987; 94: 1631–1639.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Green WR. Diagnostic cytopathology of ocular fluid specimens. Ophthalmology 1984; 91: 726–49.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Green WR. In: Spencer WH, Opthalmic Pathology: An Atlas and Textbook 3rd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co., 1986; 1064–71, 1588–91, 1656–73.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Green WR. Ocular reticulum cell sarcoma. In: Fine SL, Owens SL, eds. Management of Retinal Vascular and Macular Disorders. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1983: 249–64.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Henderly DE, Liggett PE, Rao NA. Cryptococcal chorioretinitis and endophthalmitis. Retina 1987; 7: 75–79.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Hogan MJ, Zimmerman LE. Ophthalmic Pathology: An Atlas and Textbook, 2nd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Company, 1962; 4, 20: 373–402.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Kirmani MH, Thomas EL, Rao NA, Laborde RP. Intraocular reticulum cell sarcoma: diagnosis by choroidal biopsy. Br J Ophthalmol 1987; 71: 748–752.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Michels RG, Green WR, Engel HM, Rice TR, Erozan YS, et al. Diagnostic vitrectomy. In: Jokobiec FA, Sigelman J, eds. Advanced Techniques in Ocular Surgery. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co., 1984: 224–81.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Michels RG, Knox DL, Erozan YS, Green WR. Intraocular reticulum cell sarcoma: Diagnosis by pars plana vitrectomy. Arch Ophthalmol 1975; 93: 1331–5.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Nichols CW, Eagle RC Jr, Yanoff M, Menocal NG. Conjunctival biopsy as an aid in the evaluation of the patient with suspected sarcoidosis. Ophthalmology 1980; 87: 287–291.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Rao NA. A laboratory approach to rapid diagnosis of ocular infections and prospects for the future. Amer J Ophthalmol 1989; 107: 283–291.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Rao NA, Font RL. Toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis: electron-microscopic and immunofluorescence studies of formalin-fixed tissue. Arch Ophthalmol 1977; 95: 273–277.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Rao NA, Marak GE. Sympathetic ophthalmia simulating Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's Disease: A clinico-pathologic study of four cases. Jpn J Ophthalmol 1983; 27: 506–511.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Rao NA, Marak GE, Hidayat AA. Necrotizing scleritis. Ophthalmology 1985; 92: 1542–1548.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Scheie HG, Shannon RE, Yanoff MA. Onchocerciasis (Ocular). Ann Ophthalmol 1971; 3: 697.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Shields JA. Diagnosis and Management of Intraocular Tumors. St. Louis: CV Mosby Co, 1983: 634–40.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Smith RA, Nozik R. Uveitis a clinical approach to diagnosis and management. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1983: 5–68.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Spencer WH. Ophthalmic Pathology: An Atlas and Textbook, 3rd ed, Philadelphia: WB Saunders Company, 1985: 134.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Doheny Eye Institute and the Departments of Ophthalmology and Pathology, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Mary A. Côté & Narsing A. Rao

Authors
  1. Mary A. Côté
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Narsing A. Rao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Côté, M.A., Rao, N.A. The role of histopathology in the diagnosis and management of uveitis. Int Ophthalmol 14, 309–316 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00163550

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00163550

Key words

Search

Navigation