Metastatic gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma to the extraocular muscles

Objective: To present one definitive and one probable case of gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma metastases to the extraocular muscles. Design: Two observational case reports. Methods: Two interventional case reports with clinical pathologic correlation and review of the literature. Vanderbilt University Institutional Review Board approval was obtained for this report. Main Outcome Measures: We analyzed the presenting symptoms, visual acuity, motility, and external examination. Results: Computed tomography showed nodular enlargement of an isolated rectus muscle. Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic gastrointestinal carcinoma in one case. The orbital neoplasm contained signet ring cells, classically seen in gastrointestinal malignancy. Conclusions: Metastasis from gastrointestinal carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient presenting with diplopia or visual loss, particularly with a recent history of gastrointestinal malignancy. (C) 2003 by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.