Comparison of Orbital Pseudotumor and Lymphoma: Clinical and Radiological Findings

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical and radiological findings of orbital pseudotumor with those of orbital lymphoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical and radiological features of 12 orbital pseudotumors were compared with those of 17 orbital lymphomas, the nature of all lesions being confirmed by tissue biopsy. Twenty-four CT scans and nine MR images were retrospectively reviewed and compared, with special focus on the location of a tumor in the orbit, the invasion of periorbital structures, tumor margin, bilaterality, and signal intensity. The initial symptoms at admission were also classified and compared. RESULTS: In 50% of cases, orbital pseudotumors were located in both extraconal and intraconal space; 75% involved two or more extraocular muscles, and 33% involved the optic nerve. Margins were either infiltrative (75%) or ill-defined (92%). As for orbital lymphomas, 64% occupied extraconal space, invading one or less extraocular muscle (76%) and conjunctiva (29%). Seventy-one percent had a sharp margin, and 65% were lobulated or round. In pseudotumors, orbital pain and visual loss were major symptoms, while in lymphomas a painless orbital mass was the initial symptom. CONCLUSION: CT or MR image analysis of lesion location, margin, and the involvement of adjacent extra-ocular muscle or optic nerves may help differentiate between orbital lymphoma and orbital pseudo tumor.