Diagnosis of intraocular lymphoma.

PURPOSE

To review current techniques for the diagnosis of intraocular lymphoma.

METHODS

Literature review.

RESULTS

There are a limited number of small case series and case reports reporting the diagnosis of intraocular lymphoma. Limitations in the ability to diagnose lymphoma through cytologic examination of the vitreous has led to investigations into immunohistochemistry either manually or by automated cytofluorography, intraocular cytokine determinations, and polymerase chain reaction of the vitreous or tissue lymphoid cells to detect gene rearrangements in the IgH, bcl-2, or T-cell receptor gamma gene. Data regarding diagnostic efficiency of the various testing strategies is limited by small patient numbers. Careful handling of the vitreous specimen and adequate laboratory and pathological support is critical.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a proliferation of new techniques for the diagnosis of intraocular lymphoma, none is clearly superior. Use of multiple testing strategies may improve diagnostic yield.