Ultrastructural features of a solitary vitreous cyst.

BACKGROUND

Vitreous cysts are rare, and their origin and morphologic features unclear. The authors present ultrastructural observations made in a case of a 47-year-old woman who, after undergoing retinal detachment surgery on several occasions, developed disturbing vitreous opacities and a solitary cystic structure in the anterior vitreous cavity.

METHODS

Clinical and intraoperative biomicroscopy and histologic examination by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were performed.

RESULTS

The cystic structure was attached at its posterior aspect to a vitreous membrane and enclosed within a vitreous body lacuna. It had an oval form with a smooth surface and was translucent. Histology showed the cyst wall to consist of retinal tissue with gliotic changes that had placed itself within the vitreous.

CONCLUSION

The morphologic studies do not rule out the possibility of a congenital cyst. However, the authors presume that in association with the retinal detachment or the operations, a displacement of retinal tissue into the vitreous body occurred from which the cyst developed.