Primary malignant melanoma of the lacrimal sac

BMJ Case Rep. 2012 Aug 13:2012:bcr2012006349. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2012-006349.

Abstract

Primary malignant melanoma of the lacrimal sac is extremely rare. It is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage after excision or biopsy of a tumour. We treated a 59-year-old man with tearing and bloody discharge from the right eye. Clinical examination revealed a firm, localised mass at the inner canthus consistent with a lacrimal sac swelling. Sac washout demonstrated obstruction to entry into the lacrimal sac with a reflux of blood-stained fluid. The pathological findings and the immunohistochemical studies showed a malignant melanoma of the lacrimal sac. We performed radical surgery and radiation therapy. Follow-up 4 months after surgery revealed no evidence of recurrence. Because this tumour often presents with symptoms similar to dacryocystitis and may masquerade as a chronic dacryocystitis, ophthalmologists should be aware of this disease entity when encountered with patients with epiphora and mass in the medial canthal area.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Dacryocystitis / diagnosis*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Eye Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Eye Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Eye Neoplasms / surgery
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Melanoma / diagnosis*
  • Melanoma / radiotherapy
  • Melanoma / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed