Heterotopic Lacrimal Gland as a Component of Ocular Choristoma

Abstract

Review of 8 cases of heterotopic lacrimal gland tissue in epibulbar conjunctival region disclosed frequent mixture of pilosebaceous structure, adipose tissue, smooth muscle, etc. The term complex choristoma appears appropriate to designate a mixture of this variety, although each element can be predominant in a single lesion. Complex choristoma containing lacrimal gland was commonly seen in both childhood and adulthood but had no sex predilection. The occurrence was frequent in bulbar conjunctiva and limbus although orbit and cornea were also the sites of involvement in some. The most frequent element other than lacrimal gland was fibroadipose tissue. One case showed nevocellular nevus involving the ducts of heterotopic lacrimal gland.