[Palpebral form of mixed tumor of the lacrimal gland. Apropos of a case].
The clinico-pathological findings in a 45-year-old male patient with a lacrimal gland tumor are reported. This tumor had a spontaneous course of about nine years before it was resected. The clinical presentation was unusual as the tumor appeared as a nodular well-circumscribed swelling of the lateral part of the left superior eyelid. Imaging techniques did not reveal any involvement of the orbital part of the lacrimal gland. However a wide supero-lateral approach was chosen to achieve monobloc resection. Histopathology showed the typical features of an encapsulated pleomorphic adenoma, with no suspicious cytologic changes. Complete resection had a total curative effect for the patient. A wide lateral approach seems to be mandatory for tumors of the lacrimal gland to avoid partial resection and local recurrences.