ORBITAL HEMATIC CYST - CASE-REPORT AND CLARIFICATION OF TERMS

We present a case bf a hematic cyst and review the literature in order to clarify nomenclature discrepancies regarding terms used to describ e cysts,containing blood and blood breakdown products in and around th e orbit. We believe orbital cysts containing blood and blood breakdown products should be separated into two major categories depending on t he presence or absence of-an epithelial or endothelial lining. A hemor rhage into a preexisting lesion such as a dermoid or lymphangioma; whi ch contains blood breakdown products lined by an endothelial or epithe lial lining, should be referred to as an acute or chronic hematoma in a dermoid or lymphangioma. In contrast, a hematic-cyst contains blood breakdown products and has no epithelial or endothelial lining but rat her a fibrous pseudocapsule.