Research Article, Int J Ophthalmic Pathol Vol: 5 Issue: 2
Focal Necrosis in Orbital Pleomorphic Adenoma
| Hsi-Wei Chung1,2*, Steve Rasmussen3 and David Warren Rossman4 | |
| 1Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore | |
| 2Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore | |
| 3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vancouver, British Columbia | |
| 4Department of Oculoplastics and Orbit, Faculty of Medicine, Vancouver Eye Care Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia | |
| Corresponding author : Dr. Hsi-Wei Chung Singapore National Eye Centre, 11 Third Hospital Avenue, Singapore 168751 Tel: (65) 6322 8311 Fax: (65) 6323 1903 E-mail: ychung77@yahoo.com; chung.hsi.wei@singhealth.com.sg |
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| Received: June 27, 2016 Accepted: July 11, 2016 Published: July 16, 2016 | |
| Citation: Chung H, Rasmussen S, Rossman DW (2016) Focal Necrosis in Orbital Pleomorphic Adenoma. Int J Ophthalmic Pathol 5:2.doi:10.4172/2324-8599.1000180 |
Abstract
Pleomorphic adenomas (PA) are common benign tumours of the lacrimal gland. Necrosis in PA is unusual and should raise a suspicion and screen for malignancy. We hereby present a case report of pleomorphic adenoma with necrotic foci in the orbit of a 44-year-old lady and a review of current literature for focal necrosis in orbital pleomorphic adenoma.
Keywords: Focal necrosis; Pleomorphic adenomas; Lacrimal gland
Keywords |
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| Focal necrosis; Pleomorphic adenomas; Lacrimal gland | |
Introduction |
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| Lacrimal gland tumours are rare entities that only comprise 9% of orbital lesions. Of those 9% of cases, only 10% are pleomorphic adenomas [1]. Pleomorphic adenomas (PA) are the most common benign tumours of the lacrimal gland, which exhibit pleomorphism of epithelial components. However there are certain histological characteristics in pleomorphic adenomas, which may raise suspicion of atypia and prompt further investigation. Auclair and Ellis et al. [2] has noted that areas of necrosis, hypercellularity, hyalinization, cytological atypia, capsule extension or violation may be predictors of malignancy. | |
Case Report |
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| 44-year-old Caucasian lady presented with residual painless left upper lid swelling 6 months after being poked in the left eye by her infant son. A firm cystic lesion was palpated in the superior lateral orbital rim. The rest of the ocular examination was normal. Computer Tomographic scan of the orbits (Figures 1-3) revealed a large encapsulated cystic mass extending from the inferior portion of the left lacrimal gland. A posterior orbitotomy with excisional biopsy of the lesion was performed. This yielded histology of pleomorphic adenoma with cellular myoepithelial areas containing focal necrosis. Cytological atypia and mitotic activity were absent. The patient recovered well post operatively with no complications. | |
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Figure 1: CT Orbits showing well encapsulated lesion in the superior lateral orbit (marked by green arrow). |
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Figure 2: A: 600 μm field of view (low magnification view of tumour). B: 300 μm field of view (polymorphous mixture of spindle cells in a myxoid background showing a pleomorphic matrix with myoepithelial cells surrounding ductules and merging into stroma). C: 200 μm field of view (Cells exhibiting myoepithelial features with plasmacytoid component that is most common in pleomorphic adenomas. Mitotic activity and cytological atypia is not seen). |
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Figure 3: Necrotic foci marked by red circle seen in tumor section. A: Low powered view. B: High powered view. |
Discussion |
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| Orbital pleomorphic adenomas normally present as painless enlarging lesions. Atypical forms of presentation which have been reported include orbital inflammation mimicking orbital cellulitis, painful swellings and even bony erosion on orbital imaging [3,4]. Casado et al. [4] described a case of painful eyelid swelling resembling dacryoadenitis that was biopsied to be pleomorphic adenoma with areas of necrosis. These necrosis foci could have contributed to the painful presentation | |
| The presence of necrosis in a pleomorphic adenoma is highly unusual. Such cases, if reported, have largely been found in minor and major salivary glands [5,6]. Sen et al. [7] noted cystic degeneration in approximately 15% of their series of 32 patients. Mechanisms for necrosis have been attributed to spontaneous tumour infarction within the tumour, trauma (that may be surgically induced secondary to fine needle aspiration), drug-induced vasoconstriction and thrombo-occlusive vascular changes. | |
| Our patient did not present with painful orbital mass. The necrosis foci appear to be related to the mild trauma sustained prior to presentation, though the latter was mild. | |
| In summary, the presence of necrotic foci in a painless presentation of lacrimal pleomorphic adenoma requires complete removal of the tumour capsule during excision biopsy as there is a risk of malignant transformation. | |
| Financial Disclosure or Conflicts of Interest: None to declare. | |
References |
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