[Imaging feature and clinical histological analysis of 12 adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland].

OBJECTIVE

To study the imaging and histologic features of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the lacrimal gland.

METHODS

It was a retrospective case series study. Twelve patients with ACC of the lacrimal gland were surgically treated in Tianjin First Center Hospital from September 2009 to November 2011. The 5 men and 7 women aged from 22 to 63 years (average 42.6 years). The imaging and histologic features of 12 cases with ACC of the lacrimal gland pathologically confirmed were retrospectively reviewed. Twelve cases were performed with CT scan, 10 cases with MRI scan. All patients were followed up by telephone and reexamination in the outpatient service, and 2 patients were lost to follow-up.

RESULTS

The lesions originated in the orbital lobe of the lacrimal gland. The most common presenting symptom was pain; it was followed by proptosis, ptosis, decreased visual acuity and diplopia. The 7th Edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM Classification system for Lacrimal Gland Tumors stages were as follows: T1N0M0 1 patients, T2N0M0 4 patients, T4N0M0 7 patients. Preoperative CT imaging suggested that bony involvement of the lacrimal gland fossa in 7 patients;this was histologically confirmed in 6 of the 7. Preoperative CT imaging suggested no bone involvement in 5 patients, 1 of whom had bone involvement by histology. The positive rate of CT scan was 6/7. Preoperative MRI imaging suggested that bony involvement of the lacrimal gland fossa in 7 patients;this was histologically confirmed in 6 of the 7. Preoperative MRI imaging suggested no bone involvement in 3 patients who were confirmed by histology. The positive rate of MRI scan was 6/7. Overall, 7 of 12 histologically evaluable cases had bone invasion. Five of the histologically proven 7 patients with bone involvement had a predominantly basaloid pattern, 2 mixed pattern. Three patients had local recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

The imaging for ACC of the lacrimal gland is characteristic. ACC of the lacrimal gland is associated with the high rate of bone invasion. The basaloid variety has more aggressive biologic behavior. The risk of local recurrence may be associated with the histologic types and stages of lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinoma.