Ocular adnexal lymphoproliferative disorders in an ophthalmic referral center in Saudi Arabia

PurposeTo study the pattern of ocular adnexal lymphoproliferative disorders (OALD) in an ophthalmic referral center in Saudi Arabia and to review their, histopathological characteristics with clinical correlation.MethodsRetrospective chart review of 40 cases of patients who underwent incisional biopsy with the suspected diagnosis of periocular and/or adnexal lymphoid lesions over the period: 2000–2012 at the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital (KKESH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The routine histopathologic slides are reviewed by a single pathologist to identify cases of Benign Reactive Lymphoid Hyperplasia (RLH), Atypical Lymphoid Hyperplasia and probable lymphoma. The identification of the specific types of lymphoma is performed at a tertiary general hospital: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC).ResultsForty patients are included with an age range of 11–91 years and a median of 36 years. The males constitute 70% and females 30% of the cases. The right eye and/or orbit are involved in 48%. The left eye is involved in 45% while a bilateral disease is found in 7.5%. The median duration of symptoms is 5 months. The site distribution is conjunctiva (42.5%), orbit (25%), lacrimal gland (12.5%), eyelid (10%), lacrimal sac (7.5%) and caruncle (2.5%). One case is excluded after histopathologic diagnosis of malignant melanoma. Diagnosis in the remaining 39 cases includes: RLH in 14 cases (35%), atypical lymphoid hyperplasia in three cases (9%), and lymphoma in 22 cases (56%). Classification of the lymphoma group is: extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (EMZL) in 9/22 cases (41%), diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in 4/22 cases (18%), Castelman’s disease in 3/22 cases (14%), Burkitt’s lymphoma in 2/22 cases (9%), follicular lymphoma and T cell-rich B cell lymphoma: one case each (4.5%).Two cases remain unclassified.ConclusionWe have a wide age range which is comparable to other studies. Our results show male predominance and the commonest site of involvement is conjunctival, however if RLH cases are excluded, the commonest site for lymphoma is orbit/lacrimal gland in 45% followed by conjunctival in 23%. The commonest type of lymphoma is: EMZL in 41% followed by DLBCL in 18% then other types of lymphoma including follicular lymphoma.