[Two cases of dermolipoma].
BACKGROUND
Dermolipoma is an uncommon benign tumor, congenitally occurring on the conjunctiva, and may be present at other sites. The appearance of dermolipoma closely resembles orbital fat prolapse and limbal dermoid, and therefore it is necessary to take this into account in diagnosis. Postoperative complications such as blepharoptosis, diplopia, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca can develop.


METHODS
The first case was a 52-year-old female patient referred for the treatment of an orbital fat prolapse in her right eye. Another case, an 8-year-old female patient, was referred for the treatment of a bulbar conjunctival tumor in her left eye. In both cases, dermolipoma was suspected because the tumor did not show in the limbus and it did not change in size even when the eyeball was pressed. There was no external ear anomaly, facial dissymmetry, or cervical abnormality. The tumors were surgically removed without any conjunctival loss. Neither case had any postoperative complications.


CONCLUSIONS
If the special features of dermolipoma are understood, it is easy to distinguish this tumor from other disorders. Most of the postsurgical complications are caused by excessive conjunctival loss resulting in symblepharon. Avoiding harm to the conjunctiva is important to prevent such complications.
Kinoshita
Shinsuke
S
Department of Ophthalmology, Aichi Medical University, Japan. skg0121@yahoo.co.jp
Kakizaki
Hirohiko
H
Iwaki
Masayoshi
M
Hara
Kazuo
K
D002648:Child; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008067:Lipoma / Q000151:congenital* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged