Solitary mastocytoma of the eyelid: a case report with special reference to the immunocytology of human tissue mast cells, and a review of the literature

Solitary mastocytoma (mast cell naevus) of the skin represents a relatively rare dermal tumour. Its occurrence on the lower eyelid is exceptional. We report the case of a 4 month old male infant who exhibited a firm, yellowish nodule (1 cm in maximum diameter) on the lower lid of the right eye from...

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Published in:Virchows Archiv A Pathological Anatomy and Histopathology 1987, Vol.412 (1), p.31-36
Main Authors: SCHECK, O, HORNY, H.-P, RUCK, P, SCHMELZLE, R, KAISERLING, E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antibodies, Monoclonal - immunology
Biological and medical sciences
Eyelid Neoplasms - immunology
Eyelid Neoplasms - metabolism
Eyelid Neoplasms - pathology
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Infant
Male
Mast Cells - immunology
Mast Cells - metabolism
Mast Cells - pathology
Mastocytosis - immunology
Mastocytosis - metabolism
Mastocytosis - pathology
Medical sciences
Ophthalmology
Tumors and pseudotumors of the eye, orbit, eyelid, lacrimal apparatus
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Summary:Solitary mastocytoma (mast cell naevus) of the skin represents a relatively rare dermal tumour. Its occurrence on the lower eyelid is exceptional. We report the case of a 4 month old male infant who exhibited a firm, yellowish nodule (1 cm in maximum diameter) on the lower lid of the right eye from birth. Histologically, the tumour consisted of strongly metachromatic tissue mast cells (TMC) infiltrating the whole dermis, the adjacent subcutaneous tissue and the lid muscle. Since comparable skin lesions in other sites were not observed, a diagnosis of solitary mastocytoma was made. Immunocytological investigations revealed strong reactivity of the TMC to antisera against vimentin, common leucocyte antigen (CLA), alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT) and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (alpha 1-ACT). A minor proportion of the TMC reacted to antisera against lysozyme and KiB3. Surprisingly, the TMC also reacted to antisera against certain regulatory peptides (RP), namely adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI), leu-enkephalin and met-enkephalin. However, absorption controls revealed that the immunostaining for ACTH and the two enkephalins was non-specific. The immunocytological phenotype of TMC suggests a close relationship to the myeloid-monocytic lineage, but a possible relationship between TMC and the diffuse neuroendocrine system needs further investigation.
ISSN:0174-7398
1432-2307
DOI:10.1007/BF00750728