Mansueto, Lisa A.

Summary: Giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) typically presents in the epiphysis of long bones and occurs in the skull in less than 1% of cases. When GCTB is diagnosed in the skull, it is primarily seen in the temporal and sphenoid bones. GCTB is an osteoclastic stromal tumor that is locally aggressive and tends to recur. We present a case of a 43-year-old woman with slowly progressive, left-sided proptosis, eyelid swelling, photophobia, epiphora, and pressure sensation. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an enhancing tumor in the left inferior orbit with infiltration into the maxillary sinus roof. Histological examination was conclusive for a giant cell tumor of the maxillary bone presenting as an inferior orbital mass. Gross total surgical resection was performed via an inferior anterior orbitotomy, and the patient had resolution of symptoms without recurrence in her postoperative course to date. This report contributes to the scarce literature available on this type of tumor of skull bones, specifically presenting the first case in the maxillary bone of the floor of the orbit.

Summary: Morbihan’s disease is classically defined as primarily a Caucasian disease of chronic, recurrent erythema and nonpitting edema of the middle and upper thirds of the face. The disease is often difficult to diagnose and challenging to treat. Medical management is the primary treatment modality; however, if there is progression of the disease that causes visual impairment, surgical debulking is often required. We present the first reported case of Morbihan’s disease in a Navajo patient in conjunction with a review of the literature on surgical management of this challenging disease.

Pre-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a hematologic malignancy that arises from overproduction of immature lymphoid cells. ALL has a propensity for recurring in the bone marrow and/or extramedullary sites following complete remission. We present the case of a young male with a history of pre-B cell ALL who presented with leukemic recurrence isolated to the optic nerve. Transvitreal fine needle aspiration biopsy followed by transconjunctival optic nerve biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of ALL relapse and should be considered helpful diagnostic tools in the setting of suspected optic nerve malignancy with otherwise negative workup.