Extensive destruction of the eyeball by invasion of basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid

Background: Eyeball destruction caused by invasion of basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid. Case: A 100-year-old woman showed extensive eyeball destruction caused by t he invasion of basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid. Complete ophthalmologic examinations, including computed tomographic (CT) scans of the orbit, were performed. The patient underwent incisional biopsy and bacteriological exam ination of the exudate from the lesion. Observations: Orbital CT scan showed a mass in the extraconal space of the right orbit, with extension to the adjacent sinus cavity without brain invo lvement. The remnant of the eyeball was posteriorly displaced. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was identified by culture examination of the exudate. Histologic al study of the biopsy specimen showed basal cell carcinoma of the noduloul cerative type. Conclusions: Basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid had caused severe periorbit al and eyeball destruction. Jpn J Ophthalmol 1999;43:300-302. (C) 1999 Japa nese Ophthalmological Society.