[Intermittent swelling of the eyelid].

BACKGROUND

Mucoceles are benign mucous-containing cysts that can occur in the sinuses. They arise as a result of an obstruction of the sinus ostium. There is often a delay in diagnosis because symptoms are so variable.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 52-year-old woman had intermittent swelling of the eyelid. A CT scan of the sinuses showed a mucocele in the frontal sinus with breakthrough to the left orbit. Treatment consisted of marsupialisation by means of functional endoscopic sinus surgery with septum correction.

CONCLUSION

Breakthrough of a mucocele to the orbit should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with an intermittent swelling of the eyelid.