Choroidal metastasis as an initial manifestation of lung adenocarcinoma in a young patient: case report

Background: the case of a 36 year-old patient is presented, who was diagnosed with choroidal tuberculoma, giving treatment without improvement. Then, the diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma and choroidal metastases was elucidated. Objective: to report the diagnosis of metastasis as the initial manifestation of lung adenocarcinoma in a young patient. Study design: case report. Case summary: male, 36 years old, history of tuberculosis in childhood, positive smoking, but not significant. He presented visual loss of the right eye, being diagnosed with a choroidal tuberculoma, associated with night sweats, cough and positive QuantiFERON-TB test, treatment for tuberculosis was initiated. Later he had respiratory and neurological deterioration requiring orotracheal intubation, but unfortunately he died. Autopsy reveals lung adenocarcinoma with choroidal, liver and kidney metastases. Conclusion: choroidal metastases lead to poor visual and systemic prognosis, a high suspicion is required in patients under 50 years of age without risk factors. They become a diagnostic challenge, especially in countries where infectious diseases are predominat. The ophthalmologist's role is to make the diagnosis timely and correctly, thus avoiding delaying treatment.