Unique Presentation of Pediatric Orbital Varix

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Surgery
• Vascular Malformations

Background:

• Orbital masses in children can arise from various causes, including trauma.
• Orbital varices are uncommon vascular malformations typically presenting in adults.
• Post-traumatic vascular lesions in the pediatric orbit are infrequently reported.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of pediatric orbital varix.
• To describe the clinical presentation and histopathological findings of a post-traumatic orbital varix.
• To emphasize the unique occurrence of an extraconal orbital varix in a pediatric patient following trauma.

Main Methods:

• Clinical presentation of an enlarging orbital mass after trauma.
• Computed Tomography (CT) imaging to evaluate the orbital lesion.
• Surgical excision and histopathological examination with immunohistochemistry (CD34+).

Main Results:

• A 2-year-old girl presented with a fluctuating orbital mass post-trauma.
• CT revealed soft tissue contusion and hematoma, not distinctly cystic.
• Histopathology confirmed an orbital varix with CD34+ endothelium.

Conclusions:

• This is the first reported case of a post-traumatic extraconal orbital varix in a pediatric patient.
• Orbital varix should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric orbital masses, especially after trauma.
• Multidisciplinary evaluation is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of pediatric orbital lesions.