Atypical Presentation of Conjunctival Kaposi Sarcoma: A Case Report

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Wimolwan Tangpagasit
Sasivarin Luangpitakchumpol
Worapop Suthiwartnarueput
Nattadet Ratana-aram
Suntaree Thitiwichienlert
Pawarit Wanichsetakul
Wichai Leelawongtawun

Abstract

Background: Kaposi sarcoma is an antiproliferative spindle-cell tumor derived from vascular endothelium and immune cells infected with human herpes virus type 8 (HHV-8). It is one of the most common ocular malignancies in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection but is also found in immunocompetent patients.


Case presentation: A 55-year-old male patient with a 1-month history of painless maroon-colored nodular mass, surrounded by telangiectatic vessels at the lower palpebral conjunctiva. His serologic test was positive for HIV infection. After performing an excisional biopsy, the histopathological report confirmed the diagnosis of a nodular stage of Kaposi sarcoma.


Conclusion: Although ocular Kaposi sarcoma is extremely rare, especially when manifest as the initial manifestation of occult HIV infection. Recognizing the correct diagnosis is valuable. The advantage of evaluating for HIV infection is early identification and comprehensive highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to prevent further morbidity and mortality sequelae.

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Case Report

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