Calcified orbital cyst simulating a malignant lacrimal gland tumor in an adult

Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2004 Sep;20(5):397-9. doi: 10.1097/01.iop.0000139527.83345.64.

Abstract

A 56-year-old woman with left periocular pain was discovered on CT to have a partially calcified, circumscribed cystic lesion in the lacrimal gland fossa, suggestive of a malignant lacrimal gland tumor. Adjacent bone fossa formation without erosion was noted. Histopathologic examination of the excised mass disclosed a cyst with chronic granulomatous inflammation and calcification of the cyst wall. The combination of chronic pain, cystic changes, and calcification in a lacrimal gland fossa mass in an adult should suggest a malignant neoplasm, but a long-standing orbital cyst with calcification of its rim can produce the same features.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calcinosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Calcinosis / pathology
  • Calcinosis / surgery
  • Cysts / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cysts / pathology
  • Cysts / surgery
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Eye Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Eye Neoplasms / pathology
  • Eye Neoplasms / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / pathology
  • Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Orbital Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Orbital Diseases / pathology
  • Orbital Diseases / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed