Bilateral eyelid ecchymoses and corneal crystals: an unusual presentation of multiple myeloma.

PURPOSE

This report describes a case of multiple myeloma that presented as bilateral eyelid ecchymoses and corneal crystals in the absence of widespread signs of systemic disease.

METHODS

A 55-year-old man was found to have the sudden appearance of bilateral eyelid ecchymoses after he flexed 90 degrees at the waist. On examination, amyloid deposition was found in the area of the lid ecchymoses, and corneal crystals were dispersed centrally and peripherally throughout all levels of the cornea on slit lamp examination. Urinalysis revealed Bence-Jones proteins and free kappa light chains. Bone marrow plasmacytosis suggested multiple myeloma.

RESULT

Ophthalmic and systemic findings led to a workup, which resulted in a diagnosis of multiple myeloma.

CONCLUSION

Our case demonstrates that multiple myeloma may present clinically with ophthalmic findings such as bilateral eyelid ecchymoses and corneal crystals in the absence of widespread signs of disease. The ocular findings may be the first manifestations of disease. Therefore, a systemic workup should be performed on patients with this presentation, including urine and bone marrow analyses.