A rare case of congenital ectopic eyelid tissue

Abstract

Ectopic eyelid, an extremely rare entity, is a congenital disturbance in embryogenesis in which lid tissue is present in an abnormal position near the eyelid. We herein report a case of a six-year-old child with a soft mass near the lateral canthus of the left eye having cilia overlying it, with a similar family history in her father. A surgical excision biopsy was performed under general anesthesia. A histopathology report revealed stratified squamous epithelium with numerous dermal pilous units consisting of a central hair shaft and clusters of Moll's glands, suggesting eyelid tissue. Therefore, an ectopic eyelid tissue can be considered a differential diagnosis for any congenital, non-progressive, soft tissue mass near the eyelid with overlying cilia. However, histopathology is required to confirm the diagnosis.