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PURPOSE: The distinction between benign and malignant cutaneous periocular lesions can be difficult, as the clinical history and appearance are often quite similar. When present, typical cutaneous changes are often helpful in distinguishing between benign and malignant neoplasms. However, when tumors lack characteristic epidermal change, histopathologic examination may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis. The authors present their experience in the evaluation and management of two patients with periocular basal cell carcinoma who were initially diagnosed as having benign cysts. METHODS: The case records for two patients with periocular basal cell carcinoma were reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative photographs were available for comparison in one case. For each patient, the medical history, clinical presentation, histology, and surgical outcome were reviewed. RESULTS: In each case, the periocular mass was initially diagnosed as a benign process. Histopathologic examination following excisional biopsy established the diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma in both patients. Following biopsy, residual tumor was removed by the Mohs micrographic technique. There were no surgical complications and no tumor recurrences during follow-up of one year and eight years. CONCLUSIONS: Periocular basal cell carcinoma may mimic benign cystic lesions of the central face. Incorrect diagnosis may result in delayed or inappropriate therapy, or failure to submit seemingly benign lesions for histopathologic examination. Definitive treatment requires complete excision with histologic margin control.

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PURPOSE: To identify lymphatic vessels in the human orbit. METHODS: Lymphatic and blood capillaries were distinguished histochemically by light microscopy using a 5'-nucleotidase (5'-Nase) and alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) double staining method. Identification of lymphatic vessels was based on strict morphologic criteria combined with specific 5'-Nase staining. RESULTS: The presence of conjunctival lymphatics was confirmed and used as a control tissue. Lymphatic vessels were identified in the lacrimal gland and in the dura mater of the optic nerve. Structures demonstrating positive 5'-Nase staining at the orbital apex were highly suggestive of lymphatics but did not meet the morphologic criteria established. Lymphatic vessels were not identified in the extraocular muscles or orbital fat. CONCLUSION: To the authors' knowledge, this study presents the first evidence for lymphatic capillaries in the dura mater of the human optic nerve and lacrimal gland.

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PURPOSE: To examine the results of lacrimal bypass surgery in patients with sarcoidosis. METHODS: Patients with sarcoidosis who underwent dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) or conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy (CDCR) in two practice settings from 1986 through 1995 were identified and their medical records reviewed. RESULTS: Twelve patients, of whom eight were women, underwent bilateral DCR or CDCR to treat nasolacrimal duct obstruction associated with sarcoidosis. The initial diagnosis of sarcoidosis was established in four patients from a biopsy specimen obtained during DCR. The ages of the patients at diagnosis of sarcoidosis ranged from 39 to 64 years (mean, 49.6 years; median, 45.5 years), whereas their ages at the time of surgery ranged from 42 to 72 years (mean and median, 55 years). The average duration of postoperative follow-up evaluation was 44 months (median, 38.5 months; range, 10 to 82 months). All patients received local corticosteroids postoperatively, and nine patients (75%) were treated with prednisone. Of the 24 lacrimal procedures, 23 (95.8%) were patent to irrigation at the last follow-up examination, and all patients were asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: Lacrimal drainage obstruction may be the initial manifestation of sarcoidosis, and tissue obtained during DCR may help to establish the diagnosis. A successful surgical outcome may require intensive and occasionally long-term therapy with local and systemic corticosteroids.

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This study was designed to evaluate the characteristics of human orbital fat and connective tissue. Two exenteration specimens were studied by light microscopy with special stains. Four distinct regions were identified on the basis of their connective tissue septa, which contained blood vessels and were composed of elastin and collagen types I, III, and IV. Transmission electron microscopy was performed on the opposite orbits. The fibroblasts and adipocytes appeared metabolically inactive and showed no regional differences. The fat was phase extracted from the connective tissue and subjected to biochemical analysis. No regional differences were found in the content of fatty acids and protein. The fatty acids included palmitic acid (22-24.6%), oleic acid (45-51.5%), and linoleic acid (15-18.6%). Despite demarcation of the orbital fat into distinct regions by the connective tissue septa, ultrastructural and biochemical analysis revealed no regional variations in the fat. The diagnostic and therapeutic implications of these findings are discussed.

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We studied the relationship between eye dominance (Scobee test) and upper lid level (MRD) in 54 patients with unilateral ptosis or asymmetric bilateral ptosis (> or = 2 mm difference in MRD) using the phenylephrine test. A contralateral lid drop was measured in 12/54 patients after instillation of 2.5% phenylephrine in the more ptotic eye and occurred in both congenital (3) and acquired (9) ptosis cases. A contralateral lid drop was seen in 7/14 (50%) patients whose ptosis was greater in the dominant eye and in 5/40 (12.5%) patients whose ptosis was greater in the nondominant eye (p = .01). Contralateral lid drops > or = 1 mm were present in 7/54 patients, and 6/14 (43%) of them had greater ptosis on the dominant side and 1/40 (2.5%) on the non-dominant side (p = .001). There was no association between contralateral pseudoretraction and either visual acuity or severity of ptosis. These results suggest that levator muscle tone is influenced by eye dominance when ptosis is present. The preoperative evaluation of unilateral or asymmetrical bilateral ptosis cases should include the Scobee and phenylephrine tests to unmask contralateral upper lid pseudoretraction.

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The presence of orbital lymphatics in the primate model is demonstrated using light and electron microscopic enzyme histochemistry. In addition, strictly morphological definitions of lymphatics, such as discontinuous basal lamina, thin and irregular walls, anchoring filaments, and attenuated endothelial cell cytoplasm, were applied. This study confirmed the presence of conjunctival lymphatics reported by others. It also clearly demonstrated the presence of orbital arachnoid and lacrimal gland lymphatics that have not been previously described. A few areas of the extraocular muscles and connective tissue at the orbital apex also showed evidence of the presence of lymphatic vessels. Additional work is needed to define the nature and extent of orbital lymphatics as well as their connection to the extraorbital lymphatic system.

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Fifty-eight patients (69 eyes) underwent conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy for lacrimal canalicular obstruction. The cause of lacrimal obstruction and the results and complications of the operation were analyzed. Trauma and idiopathic disease were the most common causes of lacrimal canalicular obstruction in 24 of 69 (34.8%) eyes each. Relief of epiphora was achieved in 68 of the 69 eyes (98.5%). The complications included tube displacement in 40 of the 69 eyes (57.9%), tube obstruction in 19 of the 69 eyes (27.5%), and infection of the lacrimal sac in four of the 69 eyes (5.8%). Despite frequent complications, most Jones tubes can be made to function satisfactorily. Conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy remains the best surgical treatment at this time for permanent loss of canalicular function.

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A canalicular stenosis was identified in 29 of 66 (44%) children and 35 of 80 (44%) lacrimal drainage systems undergoing silicone intubation for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction, having previously had unsuccessful probings. The stenoses were equally divided between boys and girls and between right and left sides. There was no significant difference in age at the time of probing, number of prior probings, or age at intubation between children with and without canalicular stenosis. Stenoses may be congenital or acquired as a result of faulty probing. Any child undergoing a second lacrimal procedure after a failed probing should be evaluated for evidence of a canalicular stenosis. If a stenosis is present, a silicone stent should be placed to try to salvage the canaliculus.

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Since Sept. 1, 1989, we have successfully performed 20 video-endoscopic, transnasal, laser-assisted lacrimal procedures on 18 patients ranging in age from 3 to 88 years. This technique avoided a cutaneous scar and caused less surgical trauma and bleeding than that seen in conventional lacrimal surgery, which shortened postoperative recovery time and lessened postoperative pain. With minor modifications in surgical technique, both dacryocystorhinostomy and conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy were performed with either the potassium titanyl phosphate or carbon dioxide lasers. The use of the video endoscope allowed laser surgery to be performed across a broad range of intranasal structural variations and provided an excellent medium for teaching this new technique.

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A high-powered argon blue-green laser coupled to a 300-microns quartz fiberoptic catheter was used to create intranasal dacryocystorhinostomy fistulas in fresh-frozen cadaver heads. The procedure, which we term endonasal laser dacryocystorhinostomy, is described. Cadaver specimens were examined postoperatively. Laser rhinostomies were found to involve the posteroinferior portion of the lacrimal sac fossa. Tissues surrounding the fistula site showed no signs of damage. We report on the first patient to undergo endonasal laser dacryocystorhinostomy for the treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction, with 10 months of follow-up. We believe endonasal laser dacryocystorhinostomy offers the following advantages over standard external dacryocystorhinostomy: (1) Tissue injury is limited to the discrete fistula site. (2) The cutaneous scar and cosmetic blemish of an external dissection are eliminated. (3) Excellent hemostasis is maintained. (4) Minimal operative and postoperative morbidity permits outpatient surgery, with faster resumption of normal daily activities and increased cost-effectiveness. (5) Patients prefer endonasal laser dacryocystorhinostomy to external dacryocystorhinostomy.

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Complex orbital fractures consist of fractures of the orbital rim and walls in two or more places and may be associated with more extensive facial fractures. Previously, delayed repair was the standard approach. Techniques of craniofacial surgery allow earlier reconstruction with more accuracy and stability. Enophthalmus, dystopia and facial contour deformities are avoided, and the final result improved. A new standard has been established. Three factors are important in attaining improved results. Three-dimensional CT scanning is used to obtain a comprehensive assessment of the injury, to plan reconstruction pre-operatively, and to assess the reconstruction post-operatively. Secondly, complete exposure of the facial skeleton is necessary and is achieved by the use of a coronal incision, frontal flap, infraorbital incision, and intraoral upper sulcus incision. Thirdly, cranial bone grafting is used to reconstruct orbital floors and severely comminuted or missing bones. Finally, the use of mini-plates and lag screws provides improved accuracy and stability of the reconstruction.

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A wide variety of complications of the anophthalmic socket develop in patients after enucleation, including enophthalmos, superior sulcus deformities, eyelid malpositions, implant migration and extrusion, poor prosthetic motility, and socket contraction. Changes in the orbital blood flow and metabolic activity of the socket tissues and atrophy of the orbital fat occurring after enucleation have been suggested as two theoretical mechanisms that result in the development of these clinical conditions. Lack of scientific evidence and a limited understanding of the pathophysiologic basis of the features of anophthalmos led us to evaluate the validity of these proposed mechanisms in an animal model. Selected parameters of the normal orbits were compared with the contralateral anophthalmic orbits at different time intervals after surgery. Orbital blood flow was studied with selective ophthalmic artery angiography and radioactive microsphere techniques. Ophthalmic arteriography demonstrated symmetric caliber and filling characteristics of the major orbital vessels of the control and experimental orbits, although their topographic course was slightly more tortuous in the anophthalmic socket. Results of radioactive microsphere analysis of capillary blood flow per weight of the different orbital tissue compartments of the animals in the long-term group showed no significant difference between the normal and anophthalmic sockets. These findings provide evidence that the circulation dynamics and blood flow to orbital tissues do not change after enucleation surgery.

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The pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible for the clinical features of the anophthalmic socket are poorly understood. Atrophy of orbital fat has been thought to be a major contributing cause of enophthalmos and the superior sulcus deformities that develop after enucleation, but it has never been demonstrated histopathologically or confirmed by scientific analysis. This study was undertaken to investigate the changes that occur in the orbital fat compartment of the anophthalmic socket in an animal model by measuring orbital soft tissue mass and evaluating adipocyte cell size. Instead of reduction in the tissue mass, a statistically significant greater weight of the fat and connective tissue compartment was found in the anophthalmic orbit by nearly 13% compared to the control orbit in the animals in the long-term group. No significant change in the mean maximal diameter of adipocytes developed 7 months after enucleation. These analyses do not support the concept that orbital fat atrophy or a reduction of metabolic activity occurs in the anophthalmic socket in this animal model. From these results and our previous findings that the circulation dynamics and blood flow to orbital tissues do not change after enucleation, we propose that the pathophysiologic basis of the problems associated with anophthalmos is a disturbance in the spatial architecture and interrelationships of the multiple tissue components of the orbit, not a change in the orbital blood flow or development of fat atrophy.

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The spectrum of ocular and orbital pathology in the pediatric age group is quite different from that of adults. Imaging studies serve an important role in the diagnosis and management of many of these abnormalities. This review outlines the various abnormalities of the pediatric eye and orbit for which imaging studies are often required, including: infection, neoplasm, inflammation and infiltration, developmental anomalies, and trauma. The computed tomographic appearances of these abnormalities are emphasized. Additionally, the pertinent findings recorded with magnetic resonance imaging, scintigraphy, and radiography are described. Correlation of the results of imaging studies with pertinent clinical information allows the determination of specific diagnoses in most instances of pediatric orbital pathology.

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Eleven female and 4 male patients presented with 20 documented episodes of acute noninfectious dacryocystic retention. This syndrome complex consists of severe pain and tearing with minimal but tender distention of the lacrimal sac, without signs of inflammation. It is caused by impaction of a dacryolith in the nasolacrimal duct. In our group of patients, the mean age when seen was 39 +/- 14 years, and the mean onset of symptoms occurred at age 35 +/- 13 years. Six episodes resolved spontaneously, and the rest responded to interventional therapy. In six, irrigation relieved the symptoms. One patient each responded to probing, lacrimal intubation, and primary dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). In three patients, a new technique of percutaneous nasolacrimal duct dilatation using angiographic techniques relieved symptoms. One patient each failed irrigation and percutaneous dilatation and required secondary DCR. Recognition of this presentation permits differentiation of this syndrome from infectious lacrimal obstruction and allows appropriate therapy. In at least some patients, percutaneous nasolacrimal duct dilatation may offer both a method of accurate diagnosis and an initial alternative to more extensive surgery.

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Two patients with previously stable thyroid-associated orbitopathy presented with the fairly sudden onset of apparent upper eyelid retraction in their nondominant eye, accompanied by asymmetry of the eyebrows, with elevation on the side without the eyelid retraction. No other signs of worsening of the orbitopathy were present, and instillation of 2.5% phenylephrine hydrochloride in the contralateral, dominant eye relieved the eyelid retraction and normalized the eyebrow position. At surgery, both patients were found to have levator aponeurogenic ptosis in the eyelid that appeared to be "normal." This occurrence is explained by Hering's law and should be considered in planning surgery to reestablish palpebral fissure symmetry in such patients.

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Molluscum contagiosum, caused by a double-stranded DNA virus, is found world-wide, affecting humans as well as other primates and marsupials. In humans, a biphasic incidence occurs with peak infection rates among young children and young adults. In children, infection is spread by direct contact or through fomites, with lesions predominating on the trunk, extremities, and face. In young adults, this disease is spread primarily through sexual contact. Periocular infection can cause secondary chronic follicular conjunctivitis, superficial keratitis, and punctal occlusion. Although many modes of therapy are effective in destruction of the virus, some may have significant side effects when used in the periocular area. We describe treatment by incision and curettage, which we recommend as a simple, effective method of managing this problem.

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