Primary hepatic carcinoid tumor metastasizing to eyelid: A case report

We report a rare case of a metastatic carcinoid tumor to the right lower lid masquerading as a chalazion.

A 78-year-old Hispanic woman who presented with a 3-month history of a non-resolving chalazion on the right lower lid despite aggressive medical treatment. The patient had a history of noninfectious anterior uveitis and primary hepatic carcinoid tumor that was incidentally diagnosed during the initial uveitis work-up. The right lower eyelid lesion was biopsied and histological and immunopathological analysis revealed a well differentiated neuroendocrine tumor consistent with a carcinoid tumor.

Neuroendocrine tumors should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis of focal, vascularized eyelid masses. To the authors best knowledge this is the first reported case of primary hepatic carcinoid tumor with metastasis to the eyelids. We also highlight the importance of pursuing a histopathologic diagnosis, in the setting of a non-resolving or recurrent chalazion.