[Cystic teratoma of the orbit]

Teratomas are rare cystic tumors of the orbit which lead to excessive congenital exophthalmos. They increase rapidly in size after birth and therefore require immediate surgical treatment. Initial puncture of the cyst under sonographic control prevents progressive mechanical damage to the globe and the optic nerve, providing sufficient time for the preoperative measures required prior to final surgical removal. The characteristic clinical features make it easy to identify a teratoma provided it has been taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis. It is shown with reference to one of the authors' own cases that a good functional result is possible after removal of the encapsulated tumor with preservation of the globe, even when the eye has been excessively displaced by the tumor.