title: Calcifications in lesions of the fossa of the lacrimal gland.
abstract: It is frequently reported that calcification in the fossa of the lacrimal gland is a reliable sign of malignancy. We present a small, previously unreported series of lacrimal gland fossa calcifications, in which in three out of five cases the lesion was benign. Calcification can be a misleading radiographic sign and should not, in and of itself, be considered diagnostic of malignancy. This is important because proper preoperative diagnosis of lacrimal fossa tumors is essential as management differs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, California.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Portis
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Krohel
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001842:Bone and Bones; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D002828:Choristoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D009915:Orbit / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010954:Plasmacytoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography