Oxyphil cell adenoma (oncocytoma) of the lacrimal sac. Review of the literature.

A case of oncocytoma of the lacrimal sac is presented. An 84-year-old woman with a mass in the lacrimal sac area and epiphora was operated with excision. Histological and electron microscopic examination revealed it to be an oncocytic adenoma. Oncocytic tumours of the lacrimal sac are very rare and to our knowledge this is the 14th case to be reported. Oncocytomas are composed of polyhedric cells with abundant oxyphil cytoplasm which is granular and contains large numbers of abnormal mitochondria. Non-neoplastic oncocytes may arise from the secretory epithelium of the sac in various chronic inflammatory states. They may also occur at an old age, as a result of the normal aging process.