Malignant lymphoma of the retina and brain. Initial diagnosis by cytologic examination of vitreous aspirate.

A case of malignant lymphoma reticulum cell sarcoma in a 42-year-old woman who had bilateral uveitis and vitreitis and neurologic manifestations is reported. The diagnosis was first established by cytologic examination of vitreous aspirate, which showed neoplastic cells consistent with malignant lymphoma and led to cancellation of a planned craniotomy for suspected intracranial tumor. The diagnosis was later confirmed postmortem by histopathologic examination of the eyes and brain. The role of cytologic examination of the vitreous in the diagnosis of malignant lymphoma is discussed briefly.