Korean J Ophthalmol.  2011 Feb;25(1):54-56. 10.3341/kjo.2011.25.1.54.

A Case of Histiocytoid Variant Eccrine Sweat Gland Carcinoma of the Orbit

• Kim YM
• Kim JW
• Oh DE

• KMID: 994413
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2011.25.1.54

Abstract

A 79-year-old male presented with left ocular pain. Evisceration and silicone ball implantation were performed after a diagnosis of phthisis. He returned six weeks later because of left facial erythematous swelling, tenderness, mild fever, chills and cough. His condition was diagnosed as orbital cellulitis. Despite two weeks of empirical antibiotic therapy, the symptoms worsened. A subsequent orbital computed tomography scan revealed enhanced soft tissue infiltrations in his left orbit and eyelid. Biopsy showed a diffusely infiltrating tumor of signet ring cell cytology. A systemic evaluation revealed multiple bone metastases. Based on this evidence, the patient was diagnosed with a very rare case of histiocytoid variant eccrine sweat gland carcinoma with multiple bone metastases.

Keyword

Eccrine sweat gland carcinoma; Histiocytoid variant; Signet ring cell

MeSH Terms

Aged
Carcinoma/*diagnosis/pathology
*Eccrine Glands
Histiocytes/*pathology
Humans
Male
Orbital Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology
Positron-Emission Tomography
Sweat Gland Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology
Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Clinical photograph of the erythematous swelling of the left eyelid.

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  Fig. 2 Enhanced extraconal and intraconal infiltrations in the left orbit, and an inferolateral view of the silicone ball sphere in the eyelid.

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  Fig. 3 The tumors were composed of cells with hyperchromatic eccentric nuclei (suggesting signet ring cells), prominent eosinophilic cytoplasm, and intracytoplasmic vacuolations (H&E, ×400).

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  Fig. 4 A positron emission tomography image revealed the multiple intense hypermetabolic foci on the left orbit and the skull as well as along the spine.

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