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Cholesterolosis of the anterior chamber

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Summary

The clinicopathologic findings in eight eyes with cholesterolosis of the anterior chamber are presented. In five patients the cholesterol was present as an anterior chamber deposit or free-floating crystals, or both, and was recognized clinically. In two patients the anterior chamber cholesterol had incited a granulomatous inflammatory reaction and was mistaken clinically for lipid keratopathy. Anterior chamber crystals were an incidental laboratory finding in the final patient.

Intraocular cholesterol may be present as free crystals or contained within foreign body granulomatous inflammation, macrophages, or fibrous tissue. Possible sources of anterior chamber cholesterol crystals are discussed. In most cases they seem to be derived from the breakdown of intraocular hemorrhage.

Zusammenfassung

Das klinische und pathologische Bild der Cholesterinose der Vorderkammer (Xanthomatosis bulbi) wird anhand von acht Augen beschrieben. Bei fünf Patienten fand sich das Cholesterin in Form von Niederschlägen oder freier Kristalle oder beider Möglichkeiten. Bei zwei Patienten verursachte es in der Vorderkammer eine granulomatöse Entzündung, die als Lipid-Keratopathie fehldiagnostiziert worden war. In einem Auge bildeten die Kristalle in der Vorderkammer einen Zufallsbefund.

Intraoculäres Cholesterin kommt in Form freier Kristalle vor oder es findet sich in Fremdkörpergranulomen, Makrophagen oder Bindegewebe. Die verschiedenen Ursachen, die zu deren Bildung führen, werden erörtert. In den meisten Fällen entwickeln sie sich aus Abbauprodukten intraoculärer Blutungen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Ophthalmology and Pathology, and Laboratory of Ophthalmic Pathology, Scheie Eye Institute, USA

    Ralph C. Eagle Jr. & Myron Yanoff

  2. Departments of Ophthalmology and Pathology, and Laboratory of Ophthalmic Pathology, University of Pennsylvania Medical School, 19104, Philadelphia, Pa.

    Ralph C. Eagle Jr. & Myron Yanoff

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  1. Ralph C. Eagle Jr.
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  2. Myron Yanoff
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Eagle, R.C., Yanoff, M. Cholesterolosis of the anterior chamber. Albrecht von Graefes Arch. Klin. Ophthalmol. 193, 121–134 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00419356

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