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Conjunctival melanosis - External and Internal Eye
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Conjunctival melanosis - External and Internal Eye

Contributors: Brandon D. Ayres MD, Christopher Rapuano MD, Harvey A. Brown MD, Sunir J. Garg MD, Lauren Patty Daskivich MD, MSHS
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Primary acquired melanosis (PAM) of the conjunctiva presents as a unilateral, flat, patchy, non-cystic, and brown-pigmented lesion of the conjunctival epithelium. It is seen mostly in middle-aged, fair-skinned, and older, white patients. It is caused by the proliferation of atypical melanocytes in the epithelium that do not invade the subepithelial tissue unless there has been malignant transformation. Since it can occur in any part of the conjunctiva, it is important to examine the underside of the eyelid. This lesion can remain dormant for years or show slow progression. It is the most important precursor of conjunctival malignant melanoma with some 1–30% of cases following that course. There are no associated symptoms.

Codes

ICD10CM:
H11.139 – Conjunctival pigmentations, unspecified eye

SNOMEDCT:
91268007 – Conjunctival melanosis

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Diagnostic Pearls

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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

To perform a comparison, select diagnoses from the classic differential

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Best Tests

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Therapy

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References

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Last Updated:07/02/2007
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Conjunctival melanosis - External and Internal Eye
A medical illustration showing key findings of Conjunctival melanosis : Bulbar conjunctiva pigmented macule, Conjunctiva, Conjunctival pigmentation, Unilateral distribution
Ophthalmic Imaging image of Conjunctival melanosis - imageId=3071118. Click to open in gallery.
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.