Metastatic carcinoma oftheiris simulating iridocyclitis

SUMMARY A 46-year-old woman witha history ofbreast carcinoma andno knownmetastatic disease presented withiridocyclitis andsecondary glaucoma. Intraocular inflammation and pressureelevation persisted despite standard medical therapy, andparacentesis wasperformed. Cytological examination oftheaspirate revealed adenocarcinoma. Subsequent studies disclosed no evidence ofextraocular metastasis. Twocoursesofradiation therapy totheinvolved eyeresulted in adramatic reduction inintraocular inflammation andallowed temporary control oftheintraocular pressure.Ultimately, however, progressive glaucoma necessitated enucleation. Thiscaseconfirms previous statements thatiridocyclitis may betheinitial clinical manifestation ofmetastatic malignancy. Inaddition, this reportemphasises theimportance ofparacentesis inthediagnostic evaluation ofselected casesofanterior uveitis ofunknownaetiology.