Allergisches Granulom der Konjunktiva (Splendore-Hoeppli-Phänomen)

Summary

A 35-year-old woman from Georgia presented with multiple bilateral yellow nodules of the upper bulbar conjunctiva, accompanied by a severe injection of conjunctival vessels. The histologic examination of excisional biopsies showed the characteristic morphology of the Splendore-Hoeppli-phenomenon, which describes granulomas with a necrotized eosinophilic center, surrounded by a ring of epitheloid cells, giant cells and eosinophils. Although nematodes could be identified in only a few lesions, they should always be kept in mind as the causing agent of this condition. No cause of the lesions was found in our patient. The nodules may regress spontaneously. Topical application of corticosteroid eye drops, however, may give relief of symptoms, and sometimes excision of the granu-lomas will be necessary.

Key words

allergic granuloma - Splendore-Hoeppli-phenomenon - therapy - nematodes

Schlüsselwörter

Allergisches Granulom - Splendore-Hoeppli-Phänomen - Nematoden - Therapie