CT and MRI are utilized to differentiate between different types of masses and to determine the extent of lesions involving the lacrimal gland and the fossa. Although many diseases that affect the lacrimal gland and fossa are specifically diagnosed by imaging, it is frequently very difficult to differentiate each specific disease on the basis of image characteristics alone due to intrinsic similarities. In lacrimal gland epithelial tumors, benign pleomorphic adenomas are seen most commonly with a well defined benign appearance, and a malignant adenoid cystic carcinoma is seen with a typical invasive malignant appearance. However, a malignant myoepithelial carcinoma is seen with a benign looking appearance. Lymphomatous lesions of the lacrimal gland include a broad spectrum ranging from reactive hyperplasia to malignant lymphoma. These lesions can be very difficult to differentiate both radiologically and pathologically. Generally, lymphomas tend to occur in older patients. The developmental cystic lesions found in the lacrimal fossa such as dermoid and epidermoid cysts can be diagnosed when the cyst involves the superior temporal quadrant of the orbit and manifests as a non-enhancing cystic mass and, in case of a lipoma, it is diagnosed as a total fatty mass. However, masses of granulocytic sarcoma and xanthogranuloma, as well as vascular masses, such as a hemangiopericytoma, are difficult to diagnose correctly on the basis of preoperative imaging findings alone. A careful clinical evaluation and moreover, a pathologic verification, are needed. In this pictorial review, the various imaging spectrums of pathologic masses involving the lacrimal gland and fossa are presented, along with appropriate anatomy and pathology reviews.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/radiography ; Conjunctival Neoplasms/radiography ; Cysts/radiography ; Eye Neoplasms/*radiography ; Hemangiopericytoma/radiography ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus/*pathology ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases/radiography ; Lipoma/radiography ; Lymphoma/radiography ; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/radiography ; Neurofibroma/radiography ; Sarcoma, Myeloid/radiography

Hemangiopericytomas are soft tissue tumors composed of pericapillary pericytes. These tumors are rare in the lacrimal sac. To the author's knowledge, only four previous cases of these tumors occurring in the lacrimal sac have been reported. A primary hemangiopericytoma of the lacrimal sac in a 34-year-old female is reported. Total excision with the surrounding tissue appears to be the treatment of choice for this tumor.
Adult ; Eye Neoplasms/*pathology/radiography/surgery ; Female ; Hemangiopericytoma/*pathology/radiography/surgery ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases/*pathology/radiography/surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

No abstract available.
Bone Marrow/*pathology/radiography/radionuclide imaging ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic/*diagnosis ; Eye Neoplasms/*diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus/*pathology/radiography/radionuclide imaging ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases/*diagnosis ; Maxilla ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; *Positron-Emission Tomography ; *Tomography, X-Ray Computed