Tumours, masses and neoplasia

Choristomas

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  • Non-neoplastic tumour of normal (ectodermal) tissues in an abnormal location

Dermoid cyst

  • Composed of fat, fibrous tissue, hair follicles, sweat glands (ectodermal elements).

Congenital

  • May be the most common orbital tumours in children
  • Due to entrapment of embryonic epithelial nests in a suture line during embryogenesis
  • Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
  • No malignant potential
  • Typically found in the superotemporal quadrant (frontozygomatic suture) or superomedially (frontoethmoidal suture)
  • May be:
    • Outside the orbital rim
    • Inside the orbit
    • Straddle the suture line
    • Bulbar conjunctival (limbal) dermoids: well-defined, white-pale yellow lesions
      • Associated with Goldenhar’s syndrome

Presentation

  • Painless
  • Diplopia if deep
  • Slowly enlarge with age
  • On CT: well-circumscribed lesion with hyperdense wall and hypodense contents (there may be an oil/water interface visible within)
    • Imaging is only needed if there is uncertainty about extent/nature of lesion

Treatment

  • Typically surgical excision
  • A lipogranulomatous reaction may occur if the cyst ruptures or if incompletely removed

Dermolipomas

  • Phakomatous choristoma: eyelid nodule composed of lens capsular material!

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