CONGENITAL CYSTIC EYEBALL

A congenital cyst of the orbit is described, consisting of a large smooth mass covered by conjunctiva, and distending the upper lid. There was no trace of an eyeball in the orbit. The right eye was normal. There was also a malformation of the left nostril and small cutaneous tumors of the left upper lid. The electroencephalogram showed anomalies in the left Rolandic region. The arteriography was normal, but phlebography indicated dilatation of the venous system. The orbital cyst was removed surgically. It was oval in shape and consisted of glial tissue in layers, criss-crossed by cavities. In this tissue there were epithelial vestiges having the structure of the external granular layer of the retina and vestiges of the optic nerve. © 1968.