OSTENSIBLE ONCOCYTOMA OF ACCESSORY LACRIMAL GLANDS

Benign oncocytomas of the accessory lacrimal glands can be found in th e lacrimal caruncle, plica semilunaris or conjunctival fornices, but a re extremely rare. A series of 15 supposed oncocytomas of the ocular a dnexa was reviewed retrospectively, and histological differences were noted with respect to the parotid gland counterpart, Lesions could be divided into three histological groups: (1) tumours composed of tubule s lined by tall columnar epithelium with finely granular cytoplasm; th e tubules often had dilated lumens containing mucinous secretion: (2) cystic tumours with prominent epithelial tufts projecting from much of the cyst wall: (3) tumours with solid areas composed of variably cubo idal or polygonal cells, largely in trabecular arrangement, and co-exi sting with the previously described tubular and cystic elements, A str iking resemblance to Warthin's tumour without a lymphocytic component, such as may affect the parotid salivary gland, was noted in several t umours.