Lacrimal gland mucocele in a young Nigerian adult: Case report and literature review

Mucoceles are benign mucus-filled cysts commonly reported in the paranasal sinuses but rarely reported in the lacrimal gland. We present a successfully managed case of lacrimal gland mucocele in a healthy 30-year-old Nigerian male with a 6-year history of gradual protrusion of the left eyeball and a palpable, transilluminating mass in the left superotemporal orbit. A computed tomography scan of the orbits showed features suggestive of a benign left orbital mass, and he underwent en-bloc excision of a well-encapsulated lacrimal gland mass with histological confirmation of mucocele. There was resolution of symptoms with no recurrence at the 1-year follow-up visit. Mucocele of the lacrimal gland, although a rare presentation, should be considered as a differential of a supero-temporal orbital mass in young adults.