Utility of in Vivo Corneal Confocal Microscopy in Atypical MEN2B Findings. A Case Report

Overview

Purpose: To describe atypical biomicroscopical and histological changes in corneal and conjunctival structures in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2b) and bring attention to common characteristics and atypical features.

Methods: Retrospective case series.

Results: Two patients, female, and male, with previously confirmed MEN2B diagnosis were examined at our clinic to evaluate corneal and conjunctival pathologies using in vivo corneal confocal microscopy (IVCM). The female patient showed all hallmark signs of MEN2b features despite a recent unilateral herpetic infection. The male was examined at a very late stage of the disorder and showed only partial features of typical ocular MEN2b manifestations. Two notable deviations were observed: an opaque corneal mass of the right eye and absence of prominent corneal nerves in both eyes IVCM conjunctival neuroma scans correlated with scans of the corneal mass, ascertaining its histological nature.

Conclusions: This case series is, to our knowledge, the first to describe the absence of prominent corneal nerves in MEN2b. It also highlights the utility of IVCM in superficial lesion analysis. Its non-invasive nature is of great benefit to the patient.

Keywords:

ocular surface – neuroma – MEN2B – corneal nerve fibers – corneal confocal microscopy