Tumors Arising in the Palpebral Lobe of the Lacrimal Gland

Sumalee Vangveeravong, M.D.*
Steven E Katz, M.D.*
Jack rcoptman, M.D.**
Valerie White, M.D.**
* Department of Ophthalmology and **Pathology, Vancouver Hospital and Health Science Center, University of British Columbia, Canada.

ABSTRACT The lacrimal gland is divided into two lobes.The more anterior palpebral lobe being separated from the orbital lobe by the levator aponeurosis. Although the superficial palpebral lobe is one-half to one-third the size of the deeper orbital lobe, most lacrimal gland tumors involve the orbital portion.

Search of the medical literature reveals very few reports of tumors arising from the palpebral lobe. This paper describes six cases of palpebral lobe tumors of the lacrimal gland presenting as a slow growing mass in the outer upper eyelid without proptosis, and suggests that this entity be included in the differential diagnosis of eyelid tumors. 

Thai J Ophthalmol 1996 ; July-December 10 (2): 117-123.