Conjunctival Kaposi sarcoma

• Published in: Journal francais d'ophtalmologie Vol. 32; no. 2; p. 151
• Main Authors: Sudzinski, J, Thomas, F, Berthout, A, Gonthier, M F, Lumbroso-Le Rouic, L, Milazzo, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01.02.2009
• Subjects: Adult; Conjunctival Neoplasms - pathology; Female; Humans; Sarcoma, Kaposi - pathology
• ISSN: 1773-0597
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jfo.2008.12.004

Kaposi sarcoma is rare and occurs in four forms (classic, endemic, post-transplant and epidemic), which all have the same histological appearance associated with the same viral agent: human herpes virus type 8 (HHV-8). Conjunctival and palpebral locations are, however, rare, and only 30 cases have been described in the literature. We present the case of a 34-year-old woman with conjunctival Kaposi angiosarcoma, with rare bulbar location associated with superior palpebral telangiectases against a rare immunodepression syndrome (common variable immunodeficiency). The treatment consisted of an excision biopsy with an over-and-over suture of a conjunctival rotation flap, combined with anti-HHV-8 chemotherapy to effect a regression of the palpebral lesion. However, the reappearance of a conjunctival lesion on the rim of the excision site required local radiotherapy of approximately 30 Gy, with no recurrence after 1 month.