Orbital Burkitt's Lymphoma: An Aggressive Presentation

Objective. To present the case of an aggressive orbital Burkitt's lymphoma. Methods. Chart review. Case Presentation. A 24-year-old Haitian man came to our clinic complaining of rapidly progressive right eye proptosis. On examination, a large friable exophytic mass with necrotic areas and exudative/hemorrhagic secretions was noted protruding from his right orbit. A biopsy revealed the characteristic “starry-sky” appearance of a Burkitt lymphoma. The patient died shortly after due to complications from systemic involvement. Discussion. This case is meant to raise physicians' awareness on the healthcare situation in some underdeveloped countries, emphasizing the importance of education in preventive medicine

Presumed Sturge Weber Syndrome in a Haitian Boy: A Case of Delayed Diagnosis

Purpose. To report an untypical presentation of a presumed Sturge-Weber Syndrome (SWS), and to highlight the indispensable value of thorough clinical examination as primary means for proper diagnosis and management. Methods. Chart review. Results. A 7 year-old boy, with a long history of ocular symptoms and an unspecified ocular surgery, presents with a painful blind left eye. Based on clinical examination, the suspicion of SWS was raised. The presentation was not typical in the sense that no evident port-wine stain was observed on the face. However, facial asymmetry and gum discoloration were guiding clinical clues to pursue further investigations. Unfortunately, due to poor treatment response, the patient underwent enucleation. Tissue pathology revealed diffuse choroidal hemangiomas, consistent with the diagnosis of SWS. Conclusion. SWS presents with hamartomatous malformations and venous dilation affecting the skin, central nervous system and eye. The ocular involvement may vary, with the most common complications being glaucoma, buphthalmos and diffuse choroidal hemangiomas. This case report helps remind physicians of the importance of a thorough clinical examination, and highlights the ophthalmologists' responsibility of examining beyond the eye