title: Myoepithelioma of the Orbital Apex and Middle Cranial Fossa: Case Report and Review of the Literature.
abstract: Myoepitheliomas are rare tumours that originate from glandular tissues such as the parotid or salivary glands, and less commonly from soft tissues of the head, neck, and other parts of the body. Intraorbital myoepitheliomas generally arise from the lacrimal gland. Intracranial myoepitheliomas are rare. We report a myoepithelioma of the orbital apex that did not originate from the lacrimal gland. It extended to the middle cranial fossa from the orbital apex and involved the dura and adjacent bone. A diagnostic biopsy via a lateral orbitotomy preceded resection. We review the natural course and histopathology of myoepithelial neoplasms, the surgical nuances of approaching an orbital apex tumour with maximal functional preservation, and the optimal management practices of these rare lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, Illinois USA.
authors.forename: Dustin M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Hayward
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, Illinois USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology (Neuropathology section), Northshore University Medical Center Chicago, Illinois USA.
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, Louisiana USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wild
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, Illinois USA.
authors.forename: Vikram C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Prabhu
keywords: Middle cranial fossa; myoepithelioma; orbital neoplasm, orbital osteotomy