Abstract
Objective
Pterygium and ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) have been recognized as likely
related conditions and share similar risk factors such as ultraviolet radiation and
chronic inflammation. The purpose of this study is to review the incidence of OSSN
in pathology specimens sent as pterygium at a single tertiary centre between 2010
and 2022.
Methods
This is a retrospective chart review of patients operated on for pterygium between
2010 and 2022 at the University of Montreal Health Centre. Data collected include
baseline demographics, results of pathology specimen, and clinical information for
cases diagnosed as OSSN on pathology.
Results
A total of 1559 patients were operated on for a clinical diagnosis of pterygium between
2010 and 2022, of which 854 patients (55%) were male. A total of 1142 specimens had
available pathology reports, and most of the specimens were consistent with pterygium
on pathology (1105 of 1142; 97%). There was an unexpected finding of 3 cases of OSSN
(3 of 1142; 0.3%). Other diagnosis besides pterygium were seen in 3% of specimens
(34 of 1142), including nevus (n = 12), spheroidal degeneration (n = 3), pyogenic
granuloma (n = 3), and lymphangiectasia (n = 2). The 3 cases of OSSN included an 81-year-old
male of French-Canadian background, a 52-year-old male of South Asian background,
and a 59-year-old female of French-Canadian background. The pathology was diagnosed
as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 3, CIN grade 2, and CIN grade 2,
respectively.
Conclusion
The finding of OSSN in pterygium is rare in our population but can be clinically difficult
to distinguish. It is important to send all pterygium specimens for pathology.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 04, 2023
Accepted:
December 13,
2022
Received in revised form:
November 27,
2022
Received:
July 7,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2022 Canadian Ophthalmological Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
