Prevalencia de neoplasia intraepitelial conjuntival en pterigión operados en el Hospital Rossi de La Plata

Abstract

Objetive: To determine the prevalence of unsuspected ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) coexistent with pterygium in our environment and to analyze the association with clinical and demographic variables.

Methods: A single-center retrospective analytical cross-sectional study of patients operated for pterygium at the “Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Dr. R. Rossi” in La Plata was performed between June 2016 and November 2018. Histopathology reports of patients with a clinical diagnosis of pterygium were examined for evidence of OSSN. The sample was divided into two groups: pterygium alone (group 1) and conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) with pterygium (group 2). The medical histories of both groups were reviewed.

Results: 96 pterygium biopsies were included. CIN coexisting with pterygium was found in 13 cases (13.5%), of which 8 (61.5%) were grade I, 3 grade II (23.1%), and 2 grade III (15.4%). No significant differences were found in demographic (age, sex, nationality) and clinical (location, affected eye) characteristics between both groups.

Conclusion: OSSN can coexist with pterygium and go unnoticed clinically, with histopathological analysis being the only way to differentiate them. Therefore, we consider that all pterygium samples should be sent to pathology for examination.