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

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinicopathological and CT features of mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) of the pancreas and analyze the correlative risk factors for malignant pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms.

METHODSNinety-eight patients who underwent curative resection for mucinous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas at PLA General Hospital from April 1994 to January 2013 were included in this study. All clinicopathological data available were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were divided into benign tumors + premalignant lesion group (70 patients) and malignant tumor group (28 patients). Clinicopathological and CT features of the mucinous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas and risk factors of malignant pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms were analyzed.

RESULTSMucinous cystic neoplasms were seen mostly in perimenopausal women (71.4%, 70/98 cases,), and 51.0% (50/98 cases) of the patients had obvious clinical signs, mostly non-specific abdominal pain, but jaundice was present only in cases of malignant mucinous cystic neoplasms. Benign mucinous cystic neoplasms were mostly located in the distal pancreas (74.3%) and characterized with septa and thin cystic wall, while more malignant mucinous cystic neoplasms were located at the proximal pancreas (57.1%) and characterized with thick cystic wall and solid components. Univariate analysis showed that findings associated with malignancy gender, age ≥ 60, presence of symptoms, jaundice, weight loss, tumor location, margin, wall thickness, solid components and dilation of the main pancreatic duct were significantly correlated with malignant tumor development (P < 0.05 for all). The results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that thick wall and solid components were independent prognostic factors for malignancy (OR = 31.417 and 34.976, P < 0.05 for both).

CONCLUSIONSGender, age ≥ 60, presence of symptoms, jaundice, weight loss, tumor location, margin, wall thickness, solid components and dilation of the main pancreatic duct are important diagnostic indices of malignant mucinous cystic tumors of the pancreas, while thick wall and solid components are independent risk factors of malignant pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; diagnostic imaging ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial ; diagnostic imaging ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies