Special Senses System

Eye - Phthisis Bulbi

Narrative
Comment:
Phthisis bulbi (Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, and Figure 4) is the diagnostic term used for the "end-stage" eye morphology resulting from severe injury from various causes, such as trauma, inflammation, excess exposure to ionizing radiation or ambient light, or physical compression by space-occupying orbital masses, such as neoplasms of the Harderian gland (Figure 4). Phthisis bulbi is characterized by prominent shrinkage of the globe with marked displacement and disorganization of ocular structures.
Recommendations:
Phthisis bulbi should be diagnosed as present without assignment of a severity grade. Changes in the various ocular subtopographies should not be diagnosed separately as they are included in the collective diagnostic term "phthisis bulbi." If an inciting cause (e.g., a foreign body) is present, it should be diagnosed separately, and the association between the two lesions should be described in the narrative.
References:

Frame SR, Slone TW. 1966. Nonneoplastic and neoplastic changes in the eye. In: Pathobiology of the Aging Mouse, Vol 2 (Mohr U, Dungworth DL, Capen CC, Carlton WW, Sundberg JP, Ward JM, eds). ILSI Press, Washington, DC, 97-103.

Geiss V, Yoshitomi K. 1991. Eyes. In: Pathology of the Mouse: Reference and Atlas (Maronpot RR, Boorman GA, Gaul BW, eds). Cache River Press, Vienna, IL, 471-489.

Hazlett LD, Rosen DD, Berk RS. 1978. Age-related susceptibility to Pseudomonas aeruginosa ocular infections in mice. Infect Immun 20:25-29.

Full Text: http://iai.asm.org/content/20/1/25.full.pdf

Newkirk KM, Chandler HL, Parent AE, Young DC, Colitz CMH, Wilkie DA, Kusewitt DF. 2007. Ultraviolet radiation-induced corneal degeneration in 129 mice. Toxicol Pathol 35:817-824.

Full Text: http://tpx.sagepub.com/content/35/6/817.full

National Toxicology Program. 1979. NTP TR-189. Bioassay of p-Chloroaniline for Possible Carcinogenicity (CAS No. 106-47-8). National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD.

Abstract: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/10109

National Toxicology Program. 1989. NTP TR-351. Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of para-Chloroaniline Hydrochloride (CAS No. 20265-96-7) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Gavage Studies). NTP, Research Triangle Park, NC.

Abstract: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/6963

National Toxicology Program. 1992. NTP TR-410. Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Naphthalene (CAS No. 91-20-3) in B6C3F1 Mice (Inhalation Studies). NTP, Research Triangle Park, NC.

Abstract: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/7700

National Toxicology Program. 1992. NTP TR-411. Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of C.I. Pigment Red 23 (CAS No. 6471-49-4)in F344 Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Feed Studies). NTP, Research Triangle Park, NC.

Abstract: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/7702

Rao GN. 1991. Light intensity-associated eye lesions of Fischer 344 rats in long-term studies. Toxicol Pathol 19:148-155.

Abstract: http://tpx.sagepub.com/content/19/2/148.short

Takase H, Yu C-R, Ham D-I, Chan C-C, Chen J, Vistica BP, Warousek EF, Durum SK, Egwuagu CE, Gery I. 2006. Inflammatory processes triggered by TCR engagement or by local cytokine expression: Differences in profiles of gene expression and infiltrating cell populations. J Leukocyte Biol 80:538-545.

Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16793919

Whittum JA, McCulley JP, Niederkorn JY, Streilein JW. 1984. Ocular disease induced in mice by anterior chamber inoculation of herpes simplex virus. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 25:1065-1073.

Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6469490/

Yoshitomi K, Boorman GA. 1990. Eye and associated glands. In: Pathology of the Fischer Rat: Reference and Atlas (Boorman GA, Eustis SL, Elwell MR, Montgomery CA, MacKenzie WF, eds). Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 239-260.

Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nlmcatalog/9002563
  • Image of phthisis bulbi in the eye from a female B6C3F1 mouse in a chronic study

    Eye - Phthisis bulbi in a female B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study. Phthisis bulbi ("end-stage" eye) is characterized by prominent shrinkage of the globe with marked structural displacement and disorganization

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<p>Eye - Phthisis bulbi in a female B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study. Phthisis bulbi ("end-stage" eye) is characterized by prominent shrinkage of the globe with marked structural displacement and disorganization</p>

Eye - Phthisis bulbi in a female B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study. Phthisis bulbi ("end-stage" eye) is characterized by prominent shrinkage of the globe with marked structural displacement and disorganization
<p>Eye - Phthisis bulbi in a female B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study. The globe is shrunken with marked structural displacement and disorganization.</p>

Eye - Phthisis bulbi in a female B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study. The globe is shrunken with marked structural displacement and disorganization.
<p>Eye - Phthisis bulbi in a female B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study. There is marked shrinkage of the globe (arrow) with marked structural displacement and disorganization.</p>

Eye - Phthisis bulbi in a female B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study. There is marked shrinkage of the globe (arrow) with marked structural displacement and disorganization.
<p>Eye - Phthisis bulbi in a female B6C3F1 mouse from a lifetime study. The globe is shrunken (arrow) with marked structural displacement and disorganization and compressed by a large Harderian gland carcinoma (H).</p>

Eye - Phthisis bulbi in a female B6C3F1 mouse from a lifetime study. The globe is shrunken (arrow) with marked structural displacement and disorganization and compressed by a large Harderian gland carcinoma (H).

Author

Margarita M. Gruebbel, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC

Reviewers

Ruth E. Hurley, DVM, PHD, DACVP
Senior Veterinary Pathologist
Huntingdon Life Sciences
North Brunswick, NJ

Robert R. Maronpot, DVM, MS, MPH, DACVP, DABT, FIATP
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC