HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF OPHTHALMIC TUMOURS AND MASSES IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN NORTH-WESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Background
Histopathological diagnosis is an important part in the
management of orbito-ocular tumours and these can
range from benign, pre-malignant to malignant and arise
either primarily from orbito-ocular structures or
secondary from other parts of the body. The pattern and
presentation of tumours of the eye and its adnexia vary
worldwide with geographical, genetic, environmental and
gender differences among others. The aim of this study
was to examine the histopathological pattern of orbitooculartumoursat
our center.
Methodology
This was a ten-year retrospective review of patients who
had orbito-ocular surgery in our hospital on the suspicion
of orbito-ocular tumour and whose specimens were sent
to the pathology department for histopathological
evaluation. Data was extracted from the patients' clinical
folders and histopathology report. These included sociodemographic
variables (age, gender), type of surgery
performed, the affected eye, part of the eye affected and
the histopathological diagnosis.
Results
One hundred and twenty-six biopsy samples from orbitoocular
structures were sent for histopathological
evaluation, representing 0.3% of all the histology
samples received within the study period. There were 69
(54.8%) males and 86 (68.3%) involvedright sides. The
common locations of the lesions were conjunctiva
(64/50.8%), eyelid (19/15.1%), and eyeball (16/12.7%).
Histologically, tumours accounted for 77 (59.6%) of the
126 lesions, out of which 39 (31%) were benign and 36
(28.6%) were malignant tumours. Inflammatory,
degenerative and dysplastic changes account for 25
(19.8%), 11 (8.7%) and 15 (11.9%) respectively. The
common benign tumours were cysts (including
dermoids), neavus, and capillary heamangioma. The
commonest malignant tumour was squamous cell
carcinoma followed by retinoblastoma. Eighty-one
(64.3%) samples had the clinical diagnosis confirmed by
histological evaluation, while 45(35.7%) had a different
histological diagnosis.
Conclusion
Squamous cell carcinoma and retinoblastoma were the
commonest malignant orbito-ocular tumours, and cysts,
neavi and capillary heamangioma were the common
benign tumours. There was positive correlation between
initial clinical diagnosis and histology report in two-third of
cases.