Congenital Conjunctival Cysts of the Orbit.

Abstract

To evaluate the clinical presentation, anatomical location, and histological features of congenital conjunctival cysts of the orbit. The location and the histological features of inflammation in these patients were compared with those for 293 orbital dermoid cysts. Retrospective review of the clinical details, imaging, and histopathology for patients who had excision of conjunctival cysts from their orbit between 1992 and 2020; patients with a history of trauma or surgery were omitted. Twelve patients (7 male; 58%) with congenital conjunctival cysts were identified, the patients presenting at an average age of 16 years (median 26; range 1-61) with a symptoms for a mean duration of 20 months (median 24; range 6-36). The commonest symptoms were peribulbar lump (6/12 patients; 50%), and eyelid swelling and blepharoptosis (6/12 patients; 50%). An orbitaxl mass was palpable in 10 patients (83%), 3 patients (25%) had mild proptosis (1-3 mm), and the cysts were most commonly located superiorly (6/12 patients; 50%) or superonasally (3/12; 25%) in the anterior half of the orbit. Imaging was performed in 7 cases, this showing an intimate relation to the common sheath of the superior rectus/levator complex in 3 patients (25%) and to the trochlea in 1 (8%). All cysts were excised completely, and no patient had postoperative complications or recurrence. Chronic mild and nonspecific inflammation was evident within the cyst wall in 7 cases (54%), but-unlike 55% of the 293 dermoid cysts-none showed granuloma formation. Congenital conjunctival cysts are rare and usually present with a palpable mass in the upper eyelid sulcus. A significant proportion of these cysts have an intimate relationship with the trochlea, or the superior rectus, levator palpebrae or superior oblique muscles and, to minimize the risk of postoperative diplopia or ptosis, particular care must be exercised during surgery.