Pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland manifesting as exophthalmos in adolescence--case report

Orbital Lobe and Palpebral Adenomas of the Lacrimal Gland Behave as Distinct Entities

AIMS

To assess whether orbital lobe and palpebral adenomas of the lacrimal gland are biologically similar, based upon a comparison of the age at presentation and at first symptom. The size of the excised tumor in the 2 groups is also examined and considered in relation to age at surgery.

METHODS

Review of clinical details and histopathology reports for patients with biopsy-proven lacrimal gland pleomorphic adenomas, under the care of Moorfields Eye Hospital. The age at presentation and at earliest symptoms were calculated for each patient. Where available, estimates of tumor volume were obtained from the 3 orthogonal measurements taken during histopathological examination.

RESULTS

One hundred eighty-seven patients (100 male patients; 53%) presented at an average age of 48 years (median, 46.8; range, 11-88): the average age for 144 patients with orbital lobe tumors (mean, 48 years; median, 47.8; range, 11-88) was similar to that for 43 patients with palpebral tumors (mean, 46 years; median, 46.8; range, 24-81) (p = 0.45). The average age at first symptom(s) in the 2 groups is similar (orbital 45 years, palpebral 44 years; p = 0.63). In contrast, there is a very highly significant difference in estimated tumor volumes, with the mean for orbital lobe pleomorphic adenomas being 5.4 ml (median, 4.9 ml; range, 1.5-13.6) and that for palpebral being 0.91 ml (median, 0.7 5 ml; range 0.11-3.61) (p = 1.42 × 10-25).

CONCLUSIONS

As expected, excised palpebral adenomas-readily palpable in the eyelid-are very much smaller than orbital lobe tumors, that tend to be impalpable. If pleomorphic adenomas in the 2 locations were biologically identical, they should arise at the same time and have similar growth rates-which would mean that orbital pleomorphic adenomas ([PAs] being, on average, 6 times the size of palpebral PAs) should present several decades later. The age at presentation and age at first symptom are, however, almost identical in the 2 groups. These observations provide incontrovertible evidence that, in their biological behavior, palpebral and orbital PAs are distinct entities-either arising at different ages (with orbital tumors arising much earlier in life) or having different growth rates (palpebral PAs being slower).

Pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland in an eleven years old girl

We are presenting a case of pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland in a 11 years old girl. This is a rare presentation. Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common epithelial tumour of the lacrimal gland, which represents 12% of all the lacrimal fossa lesions. It typically presents in middle age and is rare in children who are under the age of sixteen years, with only a few previously reported cases.

Penetrating retrobulbar orbital foreign body: a transcranial approach

We report the successful removal of a retrobulbar foreign body using a transcranial approach in a 63-year-old patient with a penetrating injury to the left eye. Initial ocular examination revealed a corneoscleral laceration, hyphema, a traumatic cataract, and vitreous hemorrhage. Visual acuity consisted only of the perception of hand motion. Computed tomography demonstrated an orbital foreign body in the retrobulbar area. Emergency corneoscleral suturing, phacoemulsification of the cataract, and vitrectomy with posterior vitreous detachment were performed. Fifteen days after the emergency operation, we successfully removed the orbital foreign body using a transcranial approach, although the foreign body was very close to the optic nerve. On fundus examination 6 months later, a white, fibrous lesion was seen inferior to the optic disc, and the corrected visual acuity was 20/30. These positive results may be due to the complete vitrectomy at the correct time performed by a retina specialist and the minimal pressure on the eyeball while removing the foreign body, which resulted from the use of a transcranial approach.

Pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland: case report

Lacrimal gland tumours are rare. We present a case of a lacrimal gland pleomorphic adenoma in a 19-year-old man. The tumour was removed and he has made an uncomplicated recovery, with no sign of recurrence after nine months of follow-up. We will keep him under long-term review.

Pleomorphic adenoma of the breast: report of a case

We present herein the case of a 74-year-old woman found to have a pleomorphic adenoma, or so-called mixed tumor, of the breast. The patient presented with a hard mass, 3 cm in diameter, located just beneath the left areola. Physical examination suggested a diagnosis of breast carcinoma; however, the findings of both ultrasonography and mammography indicated a benign neoplasm. Aspiration biopsy cytology was evaluated as class III and the diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma was finally confirmed by examination of an excisional biopsy specimen. As it is a rare benign tumor, pleomorphic adenoma of the breast has been mistaken for a malignant tumor clinically, mammographically, cytologically, and even by frozen section. Thus, an awareness of this disease in the breast will help to prevent misdiagnosis and overaggressive surgery.