An unusual tumour of the lacrimal gland
- 1Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht, Netherlands
- 2Department of Pathology
- Correspondence to: Dr Hartman; l.hartman{at}wanadoo.nl
- Accepted 16 July 2002
Lacrimal gland swelling is usually due to an inflammatory or neoplastic process. We report an oncocytoma as the cause of lacrimal gland swelling and review the literature. Oncocytoma of the lacrimal gland is extremely rare and has been described only three times before.
Case report
A 72 year old man experienced periodic swelling of his right eyelid over a period of 9 months. For 2 months he complained of vertical diplopia. He had a past medical history of chronic obstructive airways disease and a past ocular history of early cataract, asteroid hyalosis of the vitreous body, and primary open angle glaucoma.
On examination visual acuity of both eyes was 0.50. External examination showed a right hypotropia. There was a 3 mm of proptosis of the right eye. Eye movements in that eye were restricted in all directions. Slit lamp evaluation showed bilateral mild cataract. Intraocular pressures were normal (12 and 10 mm Hg respectively). Funduscopic examination yielded cup:disc ratios of 0.8. Computed tomography (CT) of orbit (Fig 1) showed an extraconally solid space occupying …
