Non-malignant conjunctival epithelial masses with ocular surface squamous neoplasia-like optical coherence tomography features

Purpose To observe and describe the anterior segment optical coherence tomography features of limbally localised non-malignant epithelial mass lesions Methods Thirteen patients (age: 66.9 ± 16.3 years) with conjunctival mass suggesting ocular surface squamous neoplasia with biomicroscopic examination were imaged using anterior segment ocular coherence tomography (anterior segment optical coherence tomography)/Cirrus HD-OCT, Model 4000, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Dublin, CA, and Spectralis HRA + OCT system, Heidelberg Engineering, Vista, CA/. Cases with ocular surface squamous neoplasia-like anterior segment optical coherence tomography (hyperreflective, thickened epithelium and an abrupt transition from normal to abnormal) were included in the study. Maximal thickness of the epithelium was measured. Histological diagnosis was gained from an excisional or incisional biopsy or impression cytology specimens. Results In six patients (age: 68.5 ± 15.4 years) with ocular surface squamous neoplasia-like anterior segment optical coherence tomography features, the histological diagnosis was other than ocular surface squamous neoplasia (papilloma, parakeratosis and a keratotic plaque with mild dysplasia), and ocular surface squamous neoplasia in seven cases (age: 65.6 ± 18.0 years). The maximal epithelial thickness was between 250 and 859 µm in non-ocular surface squamous neoplasia cases and between 252 and 596 µm in ocular surface squamous neoplasia cases. Conclusion Non-malignant epithelial lesions can mimic ocular surface squamous neoplasia on anterior segment optical coherence tomography.