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Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a malignant neoplasm originating from clonal proliferations of monoclonal B-cell, T-cell, and natural killer cell lymphocytes. The ocular adnexa is involved in 2% of extranodal lymphomas, and 5% of these are located in the eyelid. The majority of eyelid and orbital lymphomas are non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphomas. Onset is typically insidious as painless ptosis, eyelid swelling, proptosis, and often a palpable mass. Anterior lesions may present as a salmon-colored subconjunctival mass. Low-grade well-differentiated lesions can be treated with radiotherapy. For less well-differentiated lesions and those with systemic disease, chemotherapy is indicated. 

CT showing diffuse orbital lymphoma surroundiong the optic nerve and superior rectus muscle
Orbital lymphoma presenting as left eyelid ptosis
Everted upper eyelid showing subconjunctival lymphoma
Subconjunctival lymphoma presenting as subtle ptosis
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