Benign lymphoid infiltrate of the iris simulating a malignant melanoma.

Purpose: To report a clinicopathologic correlation of an unusual benign lymphocytic iris mass in a patient who had no systemic lymphoproliferative disease.

Methods: Case report.

Results: A 49-year-old man developed a circumscribed, tan lesion in his left iris. The lesion was suspected clinically to be an atypical iris melanoma. Histopathologic studies of the resected mass revealed a solid tumor that was comprised of lymphocytes and histiocytes. Immunohistochemical studies identified that most of the cells were T lymphocytes. The histopathologic diagnosis was atypical lymphoid infiltrate. Workup for systemic lymphoma and Epstein-Barr virus infection was negative.

Conclusion: Lymphoid infiltrate can manifest as a solitary mass that can simulate an iris melanoma.