A Case of Neurotrophic Keratopathy Associated with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

• Main Authors: Tomoko Sato, Koji Sugioka, Aya Kodama-Takahashi, Masahiko Fukuda, Hiroshi Mishima, Yoshikazu Shimomura
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Karger Publishers 2018-02-01
• Series: Case Reports in Ophthalmology
• Subjects: Neurotrophic keratopathy; Nasopharyngeal carcinoma; Cavernous sinus
• Online Access: https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/485965

Purpose: To report a case of neurotrophic keratopathy associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Case Report: A 59-year-old man who had been diagnosed with a nasopharyngeal carcinoma was referred to the authors because of visual disturbance and pain in his right eye. Slit-lamp examination revealed a corneal epithelial defect and corneal stromal edema surrounding the epithelial defect area in his right eye. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass in his cavernous sinus, which was identified as nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We diagnosed neurotrophic keratopathy associated with NPC and initiated treatment with preservative-free artificial tears, antibiotic eye drops, fibronectin, a therapeutic contact lens, and amniotic membrane transplantation. However, the persistent corneal epithelial defect was unresponsive to these treatments. Conclusion: Neurotrophic keratopathy secondary to NPC is thought to be rare. We presented a case of neurotrophic keratopathy associated with cavernous sinus metastasis of an NPC. The development of new and more effective treatments for this refractory disease is anticipated.