What is orbital lipoma?

summary

Lipoma is the representative of adipocyte or fatty tumor. Although they are common in various tissues of the body, especially in subcutaneous tissues, they are rare in orbital lipomas. A typical variant of this tumor, called spindle cell lipoma, has recently been found in the orbit. Let's share my experience with you.

What is orbital lipoma?

Most patients presented with painless exophthalmos, which was characterized by downward displacement of the eyeball because the tumor was located in the upper and rear. Some cases, especially spindle cell lipoma, tend to occur in the anterior part of the orbit, with smooth masses palpable above the eyeball.

Orbital lipoma mostly occurs in adults, mostly in unilateral orbit. The exophthalmos is non axial because the tumors are rarely located in the muscle cone. The exophthalmos located in the upper orbit is anterolateral and inferior, and the exophthalmos located in the lateral orbit is anterolateral and medial.

Generally, there is no pain, and the tumor grows to the anterior part of the orbit. If the eyelid is turned over, the tumor can be found through the conjunctiva, which is pale yellow. The tumor is soft and can slide on the surface of eyeball.

matters needing attention

Most orbital lipomas are well circumscribed and can be removed surgically. Careful separation can remove the lesions wrapped by the thin wall of the capsule. In some cases, the boundary of the tumor is not clear and only partial resection can be performed. Because most of these tumors occur above the orbit, they are often treated surgically from above. Radiotherapy or other treatments may not work.