PURPOSE: The objective was to describe a distinct, limited form of congenital ocular melanocytosis that involves the choroid only. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive case series study of 11 patients with similar appearing broad-based but entirely flat melanotic choroidal lesions was carried out. RESULTS: All 11 lesions were homogeneously dark brown in color with at least one striated margin. They were located in various regions of the fundus from the macula and juxtapapillary area to the periphery. They ranged in size from 6 to 23 mm in the largest basal diameter, but all 11 were completely flat. The youngest patient was only 2 months old when the lesion was first detected, but the oldest was 82 years old. None of the 7 lesions that were re-evaluated over a median follow-up of 4 years enlarged or changed appreciably otherwise. CONCLUSIONS: The choroidal lesions described in this report may be a distinct, limited form of congenital ocular melanocytosis. We refer to these lesions as "isolated choroidal melanocytosis." Lesions of this type may predispose affected patients to choroidal melanoma.
PURPOSE: The objective was to describe a distinct, limited form of congenital ocular melanocytosis that involves the choroid only. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive case series study of 11 patients with similar appearing broad-based but entirely flat melanotic choroidal lesions was carried out. RESULTS: All 11 lesions were homogeneously dark brown in color with at least one striated margin. They were located in various regions of the fundus from the macula and juxtapapillary area to the periphery. They ranged in size from 6 to 23 mm in the largest basal diameter, but all 11 were completely flat. The youngest patient was only 2 months old when the lesion was first detected, but the oldest was 82 years old. None of the 7 lesions that were re-evaluated over a median follow-up of 4 years enlarged or changed appreciably otherwise. CONCLUSIONS: The choroidal lesions described in this report may be a distinct, limited form of congenital ocular melanocytosis. We refer to these lesions as "isolated choroidal melanocytosis." Lesions of this type may predispose affected patients to choroidal melanoma.