Lacrimal gland cavernous hemangioma masquerading pleomorphic adenoma

Abstract

A 62-year-old female patient consulted for a slowly progressive, painless, upper eyelid mass that has been present for 9 years. At examination, a nodular tumor in the orbital lobe of the lacrimal gland was observed. Computed tomography scan demonstrates a 15 mm, predominantly solid, well-demarcated lesion. The working diagnosis was suggestive of a pleomorphic adenoma. The mass was removed by anterior orbitotomy and the excisional biopsy revealed an intralacrimal gland cavernous hemangioma. Glucose transporter type 1 (GLUT1) immunohistochemistry was negative, confirming the hamartomatous nature of this vascular lesion. This case highlights the importance of considering vascular lesions in the differential diagnosis of lacrimal gland tumors as these tumors may need different management. In this case, GLUT1-negative immunohistochemistry was a helpful marker to differentiate a malformation from a neoplastic process.

Keywords

• glucose transporter type 1
• lacrimal apparatus/pathology
• vascular malformations/blood