Abstract
Purpose::
To report two unusual cases of primary adenoid cystic carcinoma originating from the accessory lacrimal glands of Wolfring.
Methods::
We examined, histopathologically, two eyelid tumors. The specimens were fixed in 10% formalin. Sections were cut at five micra and the slides were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, periodic acid schiff (PAS) and alcian blue methods.
Results::
Case 1. A 62 year-old African-American woman had a mass excised from the right upper eyelid. Histopathologically, a diagnosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma with predominant swiss-cheese pattern was made. The mass was surgically excised with frozen sections control. Foci of perineural invasion were observed. Follow-up of the patient, 10 years later, reveals no evidence of recurrence or metastatic disease. Case 2. A 53 year-old Asian woman had excision of a yellowish-tan multilobulated mass of the right lower lid with involvement of the inferior tarsal conjunctiva. Histopathologically, the mass showed an adenoid cystic carcinoma arising from the glands of Wolfring. Microscopically, it showed predominant ductal and sclerosing patterns. No perineural invasion was observed. The tumor was surgically excised with frozen sections control. The patient is alive and free of tumor seven years and eleven months after wide local excision.
Conclusions::
In both tumors, lobules of the accesory lacrimal glands of Wolfring were identified in close proximity to the neoplastic lobules. This eyelid tumor is extremely rare, only one report has appeared in the literature (Duke et al, Orbit 19:31-35, 2000). Adenoid cystic carcinoma arising from the accessory lacrimal glands of Wolfring is a rare occurrence. Follow-up studies are necessary to evaluate the biological behavior of the tumor.
Keywords: eyelid • lacrimal gland • tumors