Eyelid tumors: accuracy of clinical diagnosis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity of the clinical diagnosis of malignant tumor of the eyelid.


METHODS
Analysis of consecutively submitted biopsy specimens of the eyelid for 1 year to a regional ophthalmic pathology laboratory.


RESULTS
Agreement was noted between clinical and histopathologic diagnoses on 72 (84%) of 86 eyelid biopsy specimens received over 12 months. Ten (11.6%) clinical diagnoses of suspected malignant eyelid tumor showed benign skin conditions, and four (4.6%) clinical diagnoses of presumed benign conditions proved to be malignant.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical assessment of eyelid malignancy by ophthalmologists is reasonably good when evaluated in terms of sensitivity (87.5%) and specificity (81.5%) of diagnosis. Lesions giving rise to the false-negative diagnosis of malignancy tend to be nodules with unremarkable surface features.
Margo
C E
CE
Department of Ophthalmology, Watson Clinic, LLP, Lakeland, Florida 33805, USA.
D001706:Biopsy; D005142:Eyelid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005143:Eyelids / Q000473:pathology; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis