Pediatric orbital tumors in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Most pediatric orbital tumor series report a low percentage of malignant lesions. A retrospective review of children aged 18 years or less admitted with the diagnosis of orbital tumor included 148 patients over a six-year period. Orbital retinoblastoma accounted for 48 cases (32%), followed by vasculogenic lesions (33 cases, 22%). Benign cystic lesions were the third most common (27 cases, 18%). Malignant neoplasms were identified in 48% of the cases studied. Retinoblastoma may be more common in Saudi Arabia than in Western countries, and delay in presentation appears to be the major cause of secondary orbital invasion.