Pyogenic granuloma of the cornea.

BACKGROUND

Ocular pyogenic granulomata are uncommon and are often associated with a chalazion or previous ocular and adnexal surgery The avascular nature of the cornea may explain the rarity of pyogenic granulomata at this site. We report on a case of corneal pyogenic granuloma following previous corneal surgery.

METHODS

Ophthalmologists who had treated the patient previously were contacted and earlier clinical notes and histopathological examinations were reviewed. The clinical course following excision of the pyogenic granuloma is described, as are the histopathological findings.

RESULTS

Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of pyogenic granuloma. Excision was followed by a clinical recurrence at a different site with spontaneous resolution.

CONCLUSIONS

Pyogenic granulomata of the cornea are rare. However, the present case illustrates the importance of considering benign inflammatory causes in the differential diagnosis of a corneal mass lesion so as to avoid unnecessarily aggressive intervention. To our knowledge, spontaneous resolution of a corneal pyogenic granuloma has not been previously described.