Nodular fasciitis presenting as a rapidly enlarging episcleral mass in a 3-year-old

J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 1990 May-Jun;27(3):157-60. doi: 10.3928/0191-3913-19900501-13.

Abstract

A rapidly enlarging periocular mass in a child obligates the treating physician to rule out a malignancy, especially a rhabdomyosarcoma. A 3-year-old girl presented with a 5-day history of a rapidly growing episcleral mass superonasal to the globe, adjacent to the superior rectus muscle insertion. The lesion was locally excised. A sarcoma could not be excluded on frozen sections. Permanent sections and electron microscopy revealed nodular fasciitis, a benign lesion with a pseudosarcomatous histologic appearance. No recurrence has been noted at 9 months follow-up. Nodular fasciitis is a benign proliferation which should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a rapidly enlarging subconjunctival or orbital mass in a child.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Eye Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Eyelids / ultrastructure
  • Fasciitis / diagnosis*
  • Fasciitis / pathology
  • Fasciitis / surgery
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Sarcoma / diagnosis
  • Sclera / ultrastructure
  • Scleral Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Scleral Diseases / pathology
  • Scleral Diseases / surgery