Cholesterol Granuloma as a Rare Differential in Bone Erosion of the Orbit: A Case Report
Mary Rose Pe Yan MD, Gian Carlo Aurelio MD, Felice Katrina T. Ranche MD
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital, Manila
Correspondence: Mary Rose Pe Yan MD
Clinic Address: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital
Clinic telephone number: +639175204320
Email address: mlpeyan1@up.edu.ph
Disclosure: The authors report no financial disclosures.
ABSTRACT
Objective: We report a case of orbitofrontal cholesterol granuloma as a rare differential diagnosis of orbital erosion in the diploe of the frontal bone.
Methods: This is a case report.
Results: A 50-year-old man presented with right eye proptosis. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the orbit showed a fairly delineated homogeneous mass centered in the diploe of the right frontal bone with calcification and rugged erosion of the frontal bone and with expansion into the right superotemporal orbit. The patient was initially diagnosed with malignant lacrimal gland tumor on the right. He underwent orbitotomy with excision of the mass. Histopathologic studies of the excised mass revealed a cholesterol granuloma.
Conclusion: Cholesterol granulomas of the frontal bone in the superotemporal orbit are rare benign lesions that present with bone destruction and can be mistaken for lacrimal gland malignancies. Surgical excision has a high success rate with low incidence of recurrence.
Keywords: Cholesterol granuloma, bone erosion, orbit, differential diagnosis