Teratoma orbitae in the neonatal period

Abstract

The orbital teratoma is a rare congenital neoplasm. It develops from ectopic pluripotential germinal cells. In none of the cases so far described in the literature were there any signs of malignancy. The clinical appearance of the tumor is very typical; it can be diagnosed by means of ultrasound and CT scan, as shown in the present paper. Fewer than 20% of all published cases of congenital orbital teratoma were treated by methods aimed at preserving the ocular bulb. The reason why so many cases were treated by exenteration of the entire orbit was the fear of malignancy which seemed to derive from the rapid growth of the tumor. However, not a single confirmed case of malignant orbital teratoma has been described in the literature. Hence an attempt should be made to perform a local excision of the tumor without sacrificing the ocular bulb. There is then a chance that some vision will be preserved and that development of the bony structures of the orbit will be improved.