Lesions of the Lacrimal Caruncle With an Emphasis on Oncocytoma

Kapil, Jyoti P MD^*; Proia, Alan D MD, PhD^†; Puri, Puja Kumari MD^‡

*Pathology Resident, Department of Pathology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC; †Professor of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC; and ‡Assistant Professor of Pathology and Dermatology, Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.

Unless otherwise noted below, each faculty's and staff's spouse/life partner (if any) has nothing to disclose.

The authors have disclosed that they have no significant relationship with or financial interests in any commercial companies that pertain to this educational activity.

All staff in a position to control the content of this CME activity have disclosed that they have no financial relationships with, or financial interests in, any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Reprints: Dr. Puja Kumari Puri, MD, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3712, Durnam, NC 27710 (e-mail:[email protected]).

The American Journal of Dermatopathology33(3):p 227-235, May 2011. |DOI:10.1097/DAD.0b013e3181d9b56d

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Abstract

Lesions of the lacrimal caruncle vary widely due to its unique composition. Rarely, dermatologists and dermatopathologists encounter biopsies taken from this location. The aims of this study were to (1) retrospectively review caruncular lesions of the eye examined at Duke University Medical Center and (2) review the literature associated with caruncle pathology with emphasis on oncocytoma. A retrospective search of all lesions of the caruncle examined at Duke University Medical Center from 1991 to 2009 was performed. Fifty-nine lesions of the caruncle were identified. Nevi (40.7%) were the most common lesions observed, although squamous papillomas were the second most common entity (8.5%). Three oncocytomas were identified (5.1%), and were the next most common lesion present at this body site. These 3 entities represented 54.3% of the lesions found in the caruncle. Fifteen percent of the caruncular biopsies contained malignant or borderline malignant lesions, whereas the remaining 85% were benign entities. Most lesions present in the caruncle are benign. Although relatively rare, oncocytomas may be encountered by the dermatopathologist and may be confused for other neoplasms. Oncocytomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis based on this location in addition to histopathologic features.