BACKGROUND: Epibulbar and extraocular cartilage bearing tumors in adults are extremely rare. PATIENT: A nasally located pterygium in a 24-year-old patient was excised and recurred over the ensuing 15 years six times requiring local excisions, and each time a histological diagnosis of pterygium was made. Only a curative excision including a biopsy of the insertion of the m. rectus medialis and a sclerokeratoplasty revealed the tumor to bear cartilage histologically in an unusual place. A Ruthenium-106 brachytherapy was followed by a triple procedure for visual rehabilitation, and no further recurrences were observed. CONCLUSION: The differential diagnosis of a cartilaginous tumor most likely a choristoma growing in an unusual localisation should be considered in adults suffering from recurrent pterygia without known physical risk factors, and a curative excision be performed. Further treatment options depend on the appearance of the tumor.
BACKGROUND: Epibulbar and extraocular cartilage bearing tumors in adults are extremely rare. PATIENT: A nasally located pterygium in a 24-year-old patient was excised and recurred over the ensuing 15 years six times requiring local excisions, and each time a histological diagnosis of pterygium was made. Only a curative excision including a biopsy of the insertion of the m. rectus medialis and a sclerokeratoplasty revealed the tumor to bear cartilage histologically in an unusual place. A Ruthenium-106 brachytherapy was followed by a triple procedure for visual rehabilitation, and no further recurrences were observed. CONCLUSION: The differential diagnosis of a cartilaginous tumor most likely a choristoma growing in an unusual localisation should be considered in adults suffering from recurrent pterygia without known physical risk factors, and a curative excision be performed. Further treatment options depend on the appearance of the tumor.