[Diagnostics of benign and malignant tumors of the orbit]

Orbital space-occupying lesions can have a significant impact on the quality of life. Depending on the dignity and etiology of the mass, they can even represent a life-threatening process, which must be timely treated in an interdisciplinary cooperation.

To achieve a comprehensive overview about the diagnostics and frequency of malignant and benign masses of the orbit.

A literature search was carried out in PubMed and Google scholar.

Clinically, orbital lesions can show symptoms, such as exophthalmos with an increase in the vertical lid fissure, visual impairment and motility dysfunction with diplopia. Depending on the extent, an exposure keratopathy can occur due to failure to close the eyelids. For the diagnostics several tests should be carried out. Following a thorough anamnesis and clinical examination, these should include a blood sample to test for various parameters, an ultrasound examination with subsequent computed tomography (CT) in cases of bone involvement or thin slice magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the orbit for assessment of soft tissues. In adults an endocrine orbitopathy is the most frequent cause of an inflammatory orbital process, where lymphomas are the most frequent entity among malignant tumors and vascular space-occupying lesions are the most frequent benign tumors. In children the most frequent benign masses are dermoid cysts and rhabdomyosarcoma is the most frequent primary malignant orbital tumor. The multimodal interdisciplinary treatment can include surgical excision and adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy, depending on the entity.