Highly suspected primary intraocular lymphoma in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis treated with etanercept: a case report

BACKGROUND: To describe a case of highly suspected primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL) in a patient using etanercept for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 50-year-old female patient presented with decreased vision in her left eye that lasted for a week. She had a 15-year history of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and had been taking weekly etanercept for the preceding 8 months. Funduscopic examination and SD-OCT showed a swollen ellipsoid zone (EZ) and a retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) irregularity of the right eye. We also noted EZ disruption and a RPE irregularity in the left eye. As subretinal infiltration was aggravated in the right eye after the initial treatment, we completed a vitrectomy. Vitreous cytology revealed PIOL with positive CD20 immunostaining. She was treated with serial intravitreal methotrexate injections and systemic chemotherapy. After the treatment, subretinal infiltration and subRPE deposits were decreased in the right eye with no evidence of recurrence in either eye. CONCLUSIONS: This case suggests a potential relationship between immunosuppression with anti-TNFα medication, and increased risk for lymphoma, especially in patients with underlying rheumatologic disorders and especially in patients with suspected chronic refractory uveitis.