Pleomorphic lipoma of the orbit: a case series and review of literature.

OBJECTIVE

Pleomorphic lipomas are rare benign tumors that can resemble a variety of malignant soft tissue tumors on histologic examination. Six cases of patients with orbital pleomorphic lipoma, one of which was proven to be bilateral, are presented.

DESIGN

Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series with clinicopathologic correlation.

METHODS

Clinical and histologic review of 6 patients with pleomorphic lipomas of the orbit and histologic review of fat from 22 exenteration specimens and 20 other orbital procedures.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Evidence of histologic abnormalities in histologic specimens.

RESULTS

Pleomorphic spindle cells and multinucleated cells with nuclei arranged in a floret-like pattern were present in 7 specimens from 6 patients presenting with a clinical diagnosis of orbital fat prolapse, but there were no similar cell types present in the adipose tissue of 22 exenteration or 20 other orbital specimens.

CONCLUSION

Pleomorphic lipoma may arise in the orbit, presenting as what was hitherto considered to be age-related epibulbar prolapse of orbital fat.