Metastatic carcinoma of the breast: a case with the unusual presentation of unilateral periorbital edema.

BACKGROUND

Metastasis of mammary cancer involving the orbit is common, and it typically presents with enophthalmos and restrictions of ocular motility. We report a case of mammary cancer with the unusual presentation of unilateral periorbital edema only. The possible mechanisms of unilateral periorbital swelling are discussed.

CASE: Metastasis of breast cancer involving unilateral eyelid edema was diagnosed in a 66-year-old woman. A biopsy was performed to confirm the etiology after vague neuroimaging findings. The diagnosis was based on the histopathologic features of carcinomatous cells in the excised specimen.

OBSERVATIONS: Insidious, progressive unilateral upper and lower eyelid swelling of the right eye disappeared after one cycle of palliative chemotherapy. Neither restriction nor proptosis developed in the whole course.

CONCLUSIONS

Possible metastasis should be considered as a possible etiology of unilateral eyelid edema, even without a palpable mass or limitation of ocular motility. A biopsy should be performed in cases of unexplained eyelid edema.