Conjunctival involvement in malignancy-associated acanthosis nigricans

• Published in: Eye (London) Vol. 7; no. 5; pp. 648 - 651
• Main Authors: TABANDEH, H, GOPAL, S, TEIMORY, M, WOLFENSBERGER, T, LUKE, I. K, MACKIE, I, DILLY, N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basingstoke Nature Publishing Group 01.01.1993
• Subjects: Acanthosis Nigricans - complications; Acanthosis Nigricans - pathology; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Bronchial Neoplasms - complications; Bronchial Neoplasms - pathology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - complications; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Conjunctiva - pathology; Conjunctivitis - complications; Conjunctivitis - pathology; Dermatology; Humans; Hypertrophy; Male; Medical sciences; Pigmentary diseases of the skin; Human; Eye disease; Skin disease; Complication; Acanthosis nigricans; Conjunctiva disease; Conjunctivitis; Conjunctiva
• ISSN: 0950-222X; 1476-5454
• DOI: 10.1038/eye.1993.148

Acanthosis nigricans classically presents with pigmented skin lesions over the neck, groin and axillae. It may involve the mucosal surfaces, particularly the oral mucosa. Conjunctival involvement is very rare, especially in the variety associated with malignancy. We report a case of acanthosis nigricans associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the bronchus where bilateral papillary conjunctivitis, progressing to hypertrophic papillary conjunctival and lid margin lesions, was the presenting feature. Topical treatment with corticosteroid and artificial tear drops resulted in the partial improvement of the ocular symptoms.