Pleomorphic adenoma in the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland misdiagnosed as chalazion

We reported a case of pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland involving the palpebral lobe in young teenage girl of Asian origin. The presentation at young age group is rare, which initially misdiagnosed as a large chalazion. The benign tumor with its intact pseudocapsule was removed through lateral orbitotomy together with the suspicious looking orbital lobe.     

Metastatic thyroid carcinoma masquerading as lacrimal gland tumor

A 56-year-old woman presented with orbital signs and symptoms suggestive of lacrimal gland tumor. An excised biopsy specimen was obtained and showed glandular tissue, which could be confused with lacrimal gland acini. Closer microscopic examination and immunohistochemical studies revealed a metastatic tumor of thyroid gland origin. Initially, there was no identifiable nodule in the thyroid, but 3 months later a thyroid nodule was found by ultrasound and radioisotope scan. The histopathologic appearance of the thyroid nodule was similar to that found in the orbit. This case demonstrates the usefulness of immunohistochemistry in establishing a diagnosis when the microscopic appearance is inconclusive.     

Metastatic thyroid carcinoma masquerading as lacrimal gland tumor

A 56-year-old woman presented with orbital signs and symptoms suggestive of lacrimal gland tumor. An excised biopsy specimen was obtained and showed glandular tissue, which could be confused with lacrimal gland acini. Closer microscopic examination and immunohistochemical studies revealed a metastatic tumor of thyroid gland origin. Initially, there was no identifiable nodule in the thyroid, but 3 months later a thyroid nodule was found by ultrasound and radioisotope scan. The histopathologic appearance of the thyroid nodule was similar to that found in the orbit. This case demonstrates the usefulness of immunohistochemistry in establishing a diagnosis when the microscopic appearance is inconclusive.     

Benign mixed tumor of the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland. Clinical diagnosis and appropriate surgical management

The treatment of suspected benign mixed tumor (pleomorphic adenoma) of the lacrimal gland consists of wide local surgical excision of the tumor and its capsule in their entirety. The tumor should be approached routinely via a lateral orbitotomy to provide maximal exposure and allow complete removal of the lesion. However, if clinical and radiographic evidence indicates a far anterior location implying an origin in the more superficial palpebral lobe, an anterior transcutaneous approach is advantageous and preferred. The authors report an adult case of an anteriorly located benign mixed tumor of the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland. The authors reviewed the characteristic clinical, echographic, and computed tomographic (CT) features, offered a differential diagnosis, and described surgical removal using a cryoprobe via an anterior lid approach. An awareness of the distinctive clinical and diagnostic features of benign mixed tumor of the palpebral lobe should help to avoid the complications that ensue from an incisional biopsy or piecemeal resection through the lid, and also to avoid the need for more extensive surgery for removal of residual or recurrent tumor.     

Benign pleomorphic adenoma arising from the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland associated with elevated intraocular pressure.

A 46-year-old man complained of a painless mass in the left upper eyelid. At age 51 years, the patient complained of dull pain in the left eye and diplopia. His left intraocular pressure had increased to 33 mm Hg. No proptosis was noted. The nontender mass in the eyelid was palpable. Computed tomography showed a mass anterior to the orbital rim compressing the globe. The lesion was removed en bloc by a transconjunctival approach. Histopathologic examination of the excised mass showed myxomatous stroma and highly cellular epithelial areas. Postoperatively, the left intraocular pressure normalized. To our knowledge, benign pleomorphic adenomas arising from the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland associated with elevated intraocular pressure, as demonstrated in our patient, may be rare.     

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the lacrimal gland

A 55-year-old Japanese woman presented with proptosis of the left eye that showed rapid progression with profound lid oedema and chemosis with pain. Magnetic resonance imaging and helical computed tomography demonstrated a large mass of the upper temporal orbit and extended bony destruction of the frontal and zygomatic bones. She was successfully treated with orbital exenteration. A diagnosis of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the lacrimal gland was made, which was confirmed by characteristic findings seen on histopathological examination.     

A merkel cell carcinoma of the lacrimal gland

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare neuroendocrine carcinoma that most often arises in sun-exposed skin. Primary Merkel cell carcinoma of the lacrimal gland is exceedingly rare, with only one prior case reported in the literature. The authors present a 49-year-old woman with a 6-month history of painless swelling of the left upper eyelid. MRI showed a lacrimal gland mass. Surgical excision was performed, and histologic evaluation revealed a Merkel cell carcinoma. Virology testing was positive for Merkel cell polyomavirus. The patient was treated with local radiation following surgical excision. She has had no recurrence after 1 year of follow up.     

Primary intraepithelial sebaceous gland carcinoma of the palpebral conjunctiva

Sebaceous gland carcinoma usually arises from meibomian or Zeis glands deep within the eyelid, but it can rarely arise within the conjunctival epithelium without a deep component. We describe a woman with a history of chronic blepharoconjunctivitis unresponsive to topical medications. Examination disclosed confluent papillary hypertrophy of the upper palpebral conjunctiva and deposits of white flaky material. Tarsoconjunctival punch biopsy revealed intraepithelial sebaceous gland carcinoma. Management consisted of frozen section-controlled complete tumor excision with removal of the entire posterior lamella of the right upper eyelid, cryotherapy to the margins, and reconstruction. Histopathologic analysis confirmed primary sebaceous gland carcinoma localized to the conjunctival epithelium without involvement of underlying meibomian or Zeis glands or the caruncle. Patients with unexplained chronic unilateral blepharoconjunctivitis or papillary hypertrophy of the palpebral conjunctiva should be considered for biopsy to rule out neoplasia, even when there is no sign of an underlying eyelid mass.     

Dedifferentiated adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland

A rare variant of adenoid cystic carcinoma is the dedifferentiated sarcomatoid form, which has previously been reported in the hard and soft palate, maxillary sinus, submandibular glands, and nasal cavity. The authors report the first case of a dedifferentiated sarcomatoid adenoid cystic carcinoma occurring in the lacrimal gland, that of a 52-year-old man. The patient presented with a 4-month history of diplopia, decreased vision, and right upper eyelid swelling. Radiographic imaging showed a soft tissue mass in the extraconal compartment superolateral to the right eye. The patient subsequently underwent surgical debulking. Histologic examination of the tissue revealed classic cribiform adenoid cystic carcinoma and a sarcomatous component consisting of malignant spindle cells and fusiform cells arranged in whorls. Dedifferentiation is a well-established phenomenon in salivary gland tumors that is associated with aggressive behavior and poor prognosis; however, the exact nature of such dedifferentiated neoplasms remains unclear.     

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland]

A 38-year-old female presented with a left-sided peripheral N. VI-paresis and negative neuroradiologic work-up. After one year she developed an incomplete N. III paresis, numbness of her face correlating to N. V1 and V2, reduced lacrimal secretion as well as a palpable mass at the lateral orbital rim. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an orbital tumor extending into the cavernous sinus. Biopsy disclosed an adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland with basaloid, cribriform and tubular pattern. Therefore, an exenteration with postoperative radiation therapy was performed. Immunohistochemical findings included positive reactions for keratin (KL-1 and AE 1 + 3), Vimentin and Egp 34. By determination of Ki 67 the proliferative activity of the tumor was found to be 15%. Our case report demonstrates that even in absence of an exophthalmus or pain a malignant orbital tumor may be assumed as the underlying cause for a combined monolateral oculomotor and trigeminal paresis. Immunohistochemical results support the notion, that the adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland may arise from precursor cells of the terminal duct system.