What is Cavernous Haemangioma of Eyelid ?
Cavernous Haemangioma of Eyelid is a hamartoma, which arises usually after the second decade of life. Eyelid lesion is less common as compared to orbital tumour. It usually accompanies the orbital tumour and the occurrence of isolated eyelid lesion is rare.
Sinusoidal haemangioma, a subtype of cavernous haemangioma, involves eyelid with aggressive growth pattern. It invades adjacent eyebrow and cheek.
Blue rubber bleb naevus syndrome, a rare entity, is characterised by multiple cutaneous cavernous haemangiomas associated with gastrointestinal haemangiomas which often bleed.
Cavernous Haemangioma of Eyelid Symptoms
Cavernous haemangioma may present with dark blue, compressible, lobulated lesion which increases slowly in size.
Large lesions may produce ptosis (drooping of upper eyelid) which may lead to amblyopia due to obstruction of visual axis or from astigmatism due to compression of eyeball.
Cavernous Haemangioma of Eyelid Causes
Cavernous haemangioma represents hamartoma.
A hamartoma (developmental tumour) is a tumour like growth and it consists of disorganised group of cells and tissues normally found in the areas of growth in body.
Cavernous haemangioma of the eyelid, a rare acquired condition, is generally seen in adults.
Cavernous Haemangioma of Eyelid Diagnosis
Clinically, superficial lesions are lobulated, compressible, dark blue coloured, and slowly progressive lesions. These lesions may produce amblyopia due to mass effect of ptosis or from astigmatism produced by ocular compression.
Histopathology:
Cavernous haemangiomas show endothelium lined, large dilated blood filled spaces. These vascular spaces are separated by fibrous stroma. These tumours are well circumscribed but are not encapsulated. There may be signs of focal chronic inflammation. There is no endothelial proliferation unlike acquired capillary haemangioma of eyelid. There may be thrombosis or foci of calcification.
Differential diagnosis:
The differential diagnosis includes
- Acquired capillary haemangioma of eyelid
- Arteriovenous malformation
- Lymphangioma
- Eyelid varix