Intraorbital ectopic lacrimal gland mimicking malignant orbital tumor

A 6-year-old boy with left proptosis which was realized 2 months earlier was evaluated. The left eye movements were restricted in all gaze positions. The left lacrimal gland was hypertrophic on examination. An orbital magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass lesion starting from the lacrimal gland region extending through the superior and lateral orbit causing a pressure on the lateral rectus muscle. An incisional biopsy from both the lacrimal gland and the orbital part of the mass revealed no tumor cells but minimally inflamed lacrimal gland tissue which supported an ectopic lacrimal gland in the orbit. Although rare, ectopic lacrimal gland of the orbit might mimic orbital malignancies in children. Histopathologic confirmation is mandatory for differential diagnosis.