Purpose: Epithelial implantation cysts are rare complications of traumatic injury or incisional surgery resulting from transfer of surface epithelial cells from the cornea, conjunctiva, or periocular skin into the anterior chamber. They can either appear as solid, pearl white, or clear in the case of serous cysts. This study describes the clinical presentation, histopathological features, and surgical outcomes of a pearl cyst.
Case report: A 19-year-old male subject first presented with corneal injury from a stone. After primary wound management, an eyelash was removed from the anterior chamber. The corneal wound was not sutured. Two months later, the patient was rehospitalized with a white mass in the anterior chamber. The mass was excised. Postoperative visual acuity was normal. Histological examination revealed an implantation cyst on the surface of the iris extensively covered with epithelial cells four to five layers thick in most areas. The patient has been followed up for 6 months without complications.
Conclusions: The proliferation of traumatically implanted epithelial cells into the anterior chamber may lead to the development of a pearl cyst. The positive outcome in this case was consistent with the surgical treatment of choice evolving in the literature.