Adult orbital xanthogranuloma as a cause of recurrent palpebral swelling.

Orbital adult-onset xanthogranuloma is a rare idiopathic inflammatory disorder included in the group of orbital xanthogranulomatous diseases with possible systemic associations. A 43 year-old woman presented with a deep fast-growing mass on the right upper eyelid. She had a past medical history of bilateral non-ulcerative nodules on the upper eyelid and two cosmetic upper lid blepharoplasties. An excisional biopsy was performed and the histopathology analysis confirmed the diagnosis of adult histiocytic xanthogranuloma. The systemic work up was negative and the patient is asymptomatic without treatment. Orbital xanthogranulomatous diseases are rare, but potentially life-threatening disorders. The ophthalmologist must be aware of this disease in order to make an early diagnosis using the anamnesis, clinical examination, and histology of the periocular lesions that may resemble palpebral xanthelasmas.