The glue that holds the situation together

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Vascular Surgery
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Orbital masses can present with varied symptoms and require accurate diagnosis.
• Vascular malformations, particularly venous malformations, can occur in the orbit.

Observation:

• A 48-year-old man presented with a left upper eyelid mass that enlarged with forward bending and Valsalva maneuver.
• The mass was associated with enophthalmos and demonstrated characteristics of a vascular malformation on MRI and arteriography.

Findings:

• The orbital mass was diagnosed as a low-flow, distensible venous malformation, also known as an orbital varix.
• Histopathology confirmed a benign vascular malformation, with no abnormal arterial components identified.

Implications:

• Multidisciplinary treatment involving embolization and surgical excision can effectively manage symptomatic orbital varices.
• Accurate imaging and histopathological analysis are crucial for diagnosing and treating orbital vascular malformations.