Removal of a Solitary Neurofibroma from the Eyelid Margin: Adding to the Existing Case-Based Literature

Asir N, Tom RM, Kafa G, Heg

Abstract

Neurofibroma is a benign tumor of peripheral nerve sheath origin which is usually found as part ofneurofibromatosis type-1 (NF1). This case report describes the removal of a solitary neurofibroma from the uppereyelid margin of an asymptomatic 59-year-old female with no other neurofibromatosis type-1 (NF1) features. Thepatient presented with a painless, cyst-like lesion on the left upper lid margin. A cyst of Zeiss was clinicallysuspected and surgical excision under local anaesthesia was agreed. Histopathological analysis of the excisedmaterial stated that the sample contained bland fusiform cells with wavy nuclei arranged in fascicles. Cells werestrongly positive for S100. These findings are compatible with a benign neurofibroma. A survey of the existing(English) literature suggests that there have been only nine cases of solitary neurofibroma of the eyelid previouslyreported, all of them occurring in the last eight years. Because of the possibility of the recurrence, the transformationto malignant lesion and the association of systemic malignancy, neurofibroma should be one of the differentialdiagnoses of any tarsal cyst and ophthalmologists should be aware of that.