Conjunctival cysts of the orbit: Clinical features and histopathology of four cases

Background Only a few reports concerning congenital conjunctival cysts of the orbit (primary nonkeratinized epithelial cysts) have been published. Patients We describe four further cases of conjunctival cysts of the orbit, which were observed between 1995 and 1997 in Tubingen and Vienna. Histologically, all cysts were lined by nonkeratinizing epithelium with goblet cells. Epidermal appendeages were found in the wall of one cyst. The patients' age was between 1 and 32 pears. Clinically, the prominent symptom was swelling of the upper eyelid, persisting in three patients for more than several years. In one patients diplopia and restriction of eye movements developed within several weeks. Conclusions The cases we described are in accordance with the cases reported in the literature. Often a swelling of the upper eyelid persisted for several years, before the cyst has become symptomatic predominantly in an adult patient. In contrast to dermoid or epidermoid cysts: there is no bony erosion and the cysts are located in the superior to nasal orbit. These cysts are probably more common as it is represented in the literature.