Lacrimal Gland Amyloidosis Presenting as an Eyelid Mass: A Rare Case Report
Author: Shohei Suetake
Base Hospital / Institution: Oculofacial Clinic Tokyo
ePoster presentation
Abstract ID: 25-279
Purpose
Amyloidosis is a general term for diseases in which amyloid protein is deposited in various organs throughout the body, causing functional disorders. Orbital amyloidosis is rare, and among these, lacrimal gland amyloidosis is even rarer. We report a rare case of localized lacrimal gland amyloidosis initially detected as an eyelid mass and emphasize the importance of considering amyloidosis in the differential diagnosis of lacrimal gland tumors.
Methods
A 50-year-old woman presented with a two-year history of a slowly enlarging, painless, and mobile mass in the lateral aspect of her left upper eyelid. Ocular motility and visual acuity were preserved. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-defined enlargement of the lacrimal gland, consistent with the clinical finding. The patient underwent complete left lacrimal gland excision under general anesthesia in May 2024. The specimen was sent for histopathological evaluation. Blood tests and systemic screening were performed to assess for systemic involvement.
Results
Histopathology revealed eosinophilic extracellular deposits that stained positively with Congo red, confirming amyloid. Systemic workup, including blood tests, urinalysis, and whole-body imaging, showed no signs of systemic amyloid deposition. The diagnosis of localized lacrimal gland amyloidosis was established. The postoperative course was uneventful, with no evidence of recurrence or systemic progression at six months’ follow-up.
Conclusion
Lacrimal gland amyloidosis is an extremely rare condition. Orbital and ocular amyloidosis together account for only 4% of localized amyloidosis in the head and neck region. To date, fewer than 40 cases have been reported globally, with only three documented in Japan. Most lacrimal gland masses are of inflammatory or lymphoproliferative origin, frequently associated with IgG4-related disease. However, amyloidosis, though rare, should be kept in mind when evaluating firm, non-tender lacrimal gland lesions.
Additional Authors
| First name | Last name | Base Hospital / Institution |
|---|---|---|
| Ryo | Kikuchi | Oculofacial Clinic Tokyo |
| Tomoyuki | Kashima | Oculofacial Clinic Tokyo |
