Spindle cell lipoma of the orbit: a case report of an unusual orbital pathology

Abstract

Spindle cell lipoma is a rare and distinct variant of soft tissue tumour characterised by spindle cells in which the fat content may be scarce or absent. Most spindle cell lipomas arise as a subcutaneous mass of the neck, shoulders or back. Rarely, they can also be found in unusual sites, such as the oral cavity, larynx, bronchus, breast, and extremities. Localisation of spindle cell lipoma in the orbit has been described in a few cases. We report here on a case of an orbital mass surgically excised in an adult male and discuss the differential diagnosis with other soft tissue tumours with a lipomatous component, such as lipomatous haemangiopericytoma, a rare variant of haemangiopericytoma.