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Br J Ophthalmol 2006;90:1468-1471 doi:10.1136/bjo.2006.099754
  • Clinical science
    • Scientific reports

Patterns of regional head and neck lymph node metastasis in primary conjunctival malignant melanoma

  1. M Lim1,
  2. T Tatla1,
  3. D Hersh2,
  4. J Hungerford2
  1. 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, Middlesex, UK
  2. 2Ocular Oncology Service, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, West Smithfield, London, UK
  1. Correspondence to: M Lim Department of Otolaryngology, Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, 330–336 Grays Inn Road, London WC1X 8EE, UK;mingyannl{at}yahoo.com
  • Accepted 27 July 2006
  • Published Online First 23 August 2006

Abstract

Objective: To correlate patterns of regional lymph node metastasis with the site of origin in primary conjunctival malignant melanoma.

Design: Retrospective analysis (1990–2003) of clinical data.

Setting: Two London tertiary referral centres.

Participants: 12 patients presenting with regional metastases after failed local treatment for conjunctival malignant melanoma.

Results: 6 cases predominantly involving the temporal conjunctiva metastasised to the pre-auricular lymph nodes. Two cases predominantly involving the nasal conjunctiva metastasised to the submandibular nodes. Of the two cases with purely multifocal disease, one metastasised to the pre-auricular nodes and another to both submandibular and parotid nodes. One primary conjunctival malignant melanoma had its origin in temporal conjunctiva but metastasised to submandibular nodes, and another case originating from nasal conjunctiva metastasised to pre-auricular nodes.

Conclusions: Temporal conjunctival melanotic lesions tend to metastasise clinically to pre-auricular lymph nodes and nasal conjunctival melanotic lesions metastasise to the submandibular lymph nodes. Patterns appear consistent with laboratory-based anatomically mapped lymphatic drainage basins of the conjunctiva.

Footnotes

  • Published online First 23 August 2006

  • Competing interests: None.

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