Pleomorphic adenoma arising from the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland in a patient with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy.

Objective: To report a rare coexistence of pleomorphic adenoma arising from the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland and thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy in a Chinese patient.

Methods: Case report of clinical features and imaging findings, orbital surgery, and histopathologic examination.

Results: A Chinese woman (48 years old) with hyperthyroidism showed a gradually growing mass in the lateral region of the left upper eyelid that was present for 4 years and bilateral proptosis for 5 years. There was a slightly lower eyelid retraction in both eyes. Proptosis was 20 mm in the right eye and 22 mm in the left. A well-defined, nontender mass was palpable in the lateral upper eyelid of the left eye. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed a rounded homogenous mass measuring 14.1 × 13.2 mm in the lateral upper eyelid of the left eye and enlarged superior, medial, and inferior recti muscles in both eyes. At surgery, a grayish-white round mass was observed after removal of the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland. The histopathological diagnosis was pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland.

Conclusions: The coexistence of a pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland and thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy may indicate a pleomorphic adenoma likely due to an unknown autoimmune disorder.