Fornix and conjunctiva reconstruction by amniotic membrane in a patient with conjunctival mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma.

Background: Conjunctival mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is a rare, low-grade, non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma. Herein, we report our successful management of the large conjunctival defect caused by resection of conjunctival MALT lymphoma by covering it with transplanted amniotic membrane.

Case: A 28-year-old Japanese man, who had been diagnosed histologically as having conjunctival MALT lymphoma in his left eye, was referred to us for treatment. The tumor was located on the lower bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva, and involved the fornix. Extensive resection of the conjunctival lesion was performed. Two pieces of amniotic membrane were used to reconstruct the fornix, bulbar, and palpebral conjunctival defect.

Observations: Epithelialization over the transplantation was completed within 3 weeks when all sutures were removed. During the 6 months of follow-up, there was no recurrence or any postoperative complication, such as graft rejection, symblepharon, or chronic inflammation.

Conclusions: We demonstrated for the first time that amniotic membrane can be used to cover a large defect on both bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva when such a low-grade malignancy as MALT lymphoma is extensively excised. Amniotic membrane transplantation was quite effective for the fornix and conjunctival reconstruction.