Benign tumors of the orbit in children and adolescents – clinical and histopathological analysis

Introduction
The aim of the study was to conduct a retrospective histopathological and clinical analysis of benign tumors of the orbit in children and adolescents treated in the Clinic of Pediatric Ophthalmology of the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice.

Material and methods
The study included 1344 patients, who underwent surgical removal of nodular lesions in the Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology of the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice between 2010 and 2020. Tumors of the orbit constituted 23.7% (172 patients). The excised lesions underwent histopathological examination. The study group consisted of 97 girls (56.4%) and 75 boys (43.6%) aged from 6 months to 17 years. The average age was 3.7 ±4.9 years. The patients were divided into four age groups: 0-4 years, 5-9 years, 10-14 years, 15-18 years.

Results
In the above age groups, orbital tumors occurred in 71.5%, 13.4%, 9.3%, and 5.8%, respectively. Histopathology results most often showed: dermoid cysts (47.1%) epidermal cysts (21.5%) and dermolipomas (18%). The majority of dermoids arise in the upper temporal region from the frontozygomatic suture. All patients underwent surgical excisions of lesions because of unpredictable progression and possible complications. Eligibility for resection of dermolipomas or lipomas depended on tumor size, concomitant symptoms and cosmetic aspects.

Conclusions
According to our data, the most common benign tumors in children and adolescents were dermoid and epidermal cysts. Choristomas have typical locations and clinical picture. Treatment of these lesions involves a surgical excision, and subsequent histopathological evaluation is always required.