["Teddy bear granuloma", a rare condition: a case report of a 3-year-old child]

Clinical and histopathological features of conjunctival "Teddy bear" granuloma: A case series

PURPOSE

To describe the clinical features, histopathological findings, and prognosis of conjunctival Teddy bear granuloma (TBG) diagnosed in a Mexican ophthalmologic referral center in a period of 64 years.

METHODS

We reviewed clinical and histopathological material from all patients with documented conjunctival TBG. Patient's age, gender, location, clinical signs and symptoms, duration, treatment and, specimen size, were evaluated. Formalin-fixed paraffin embedded 5 microns hematoxylin-eosin stained slides and periodic acid-Schiff special stain as well as examination under polarized light microscopy were performed in all cases.

RESULTS

A total of 5 conjunctival TBG were collected. The ages of the patients ranged between 2 and 11 with a mean of 6 years. Female to male ratio was 4:1. The right inferior fornix was involved in 4 cases (80%) with clinical diagnosis of conjunctival mass of unknown etiology. Treatment consisted of surgical removal by slit-lamp biomicroscopy (3 cases) and in the operating room (2 cases). No complications were informed in a short follow-up period. Histopathologically, numerous cross-sections of synthetic and non-synthetic fibers surrounded by multinucleated foreign body giant cells, epithelioid histiocytes, lymphocytes, plasma cells and sparse neutrophils were seen. Polarization light microscopy demonstrated numerous birefringent colorful foreign fibers. The follow-up period of the patients ranged between 1 and 32 weeks with a mean of 10 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Most patients with TBG are children with vague, non-specific symptoms troubling precise clinical diagnosis. Treatment of choice involves surgical excision of the foreign body granuloma followed by topical corticosteroids. All surgical specimens obtained must be sent for histopathological examination. Special awareness is recommended during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown to prevent potential exposure to fibers that may cause conjunctival TBG.

Clinicopathologic characteristics and surgical outcome of synthetic fiber conjunctival granuloma

Background

Until recently, synthetic fiber conjunctival granuloma (SFCG) is rarely reported and has been poorly understood. Our study was to explore the clinical features, histopathologic characteristics, surgical outcomes, and prognosis of SFCG after surgical excision.

Methods

Retrospective review of clinical findings, histopathological and immunohistochemical studies identified 18 cases of SFCG. Specimens were routinely processed and stained with H&E. Immunohistochemical stains for GMS, PAS, CD68 and CK-pan were also performed.

Results

Eighteen patients with an average age of 9.3 ± 6.6 years had a tender white to red mass on the conjunctiva. All the lesions were completely removed, and none of the patients relapsed. Histologically, all of the specimens revealed inflammatory granulation tissues with a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration and the presence of synthetic fibers. Immunohistochemical stains were positive for CD68, CK, GMS and PAS.

Conclusions

Synthetic fiber conjunctival granuloma is an uncommon lesion with foreign body sensation caused by inoculation of synthetic exogenous materials. These lesions are mostly unilateral and occur in the inferior conjunctival fornix. SFCGs are characterized by a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration and the presence of synthetic fibers. Surgical excision followed by topical corticosteroids has been clinically proven to be effective.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12886-020-01717-1.

[Conjunctival granuloma following neglected thorn injury: about a case]

Il est parfois difficile de détecter un corps étranger végétal intraoculaire, principalement dans les cas où l'histoire du traumatisme oculaire n'est pas claire, ou chez les patients qui consultent plusieurs mois après le traumatisme. Nous rapportons un cas rare d'un enfant de 7 ans qui s'est auto traumatisé au niveau de l'œil gauche par une épine végétale de cactus, 3 mois avant son admission, ce qui a entraîné un granulome conjonctival temporal supérieur avec réaction inflammatoire du segment antérieur. L'exploration chirurgicale a été réalisée permettant l'extraction de l'épine avec une exérèse totale du granulome. Une légère amélioration clinique et de l'acuité visuelle a été notée puis le globe oculaire a évolué vers la phtyse quelque mois après l'extraction.