The surgical management of lacrimal gland pseudotumors

Lacrimal gland pseudotumors belong to the group of orbital pseudotumor. Systemic corticosteroids are advocated as the primary treatment of choice in orbital pseudotumor, but recurrent and refractory cases are commonly described. In this retrospective study, the authors evaluate alteerative treatment options such as surgical excision or debulking of lacrimal gland pseudotumors.

The records of 26 patients referred to the Orbital Center of Amsterdam between 1976 and 1994 with a diagnosis of lacrimal gland pseudotumor were reviewed with special reference to computed tomography scans, histopathologic specimens (in 23 patients), treatment regimens, and final clinical outcome.

Histopathologic review showed 15 nonsclerosing (classic) and 8 sclerosing lacrimal gland pseudotumors. Initial treatment consisted of corticosteroids alone (9/26), surgery alone (7/26), a combination of surgery and irradiation (5/26), a combination of surgery and corticosteroids (4/26), or indomethacin alone (1/26). Surgery comprised tumor excision or tumor debulking. Of the patients treated with corticosteroids alone, 55% (5/9) responded initially but only 22% (2/9) obtained a cure. However, all patients treated with surgery combined with corticosteroids/irradiation (9/9), with surgery alone (7/7), or with indomethacin alone (1/1) responded well without recurrences. The main complication of therapy was dry eye syndrome, the incidence being highest in patients who received surgery of the palpebral lobe or irradiation. The mean follow-up was 4.9 years.

Surgical excision or debulking is a safe and effective treatment option in lacrimal gland pseudotumors, even in the histopathologic sclerosing variant.