Retrobulbar Neoplasms
 
Description of the Disease and Clinical Picture
Retrobulbar neoplasms are most commonly malignant tumors. They can develop in retrobulbar tissue or may represent an extension of a tumor from surrounding tissues of the eye, nose, or oral cavity into the retrobulbar region. The most common neoplasms are carcinomas (squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma), sarcomas (fibrosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, multilobular orbital sarcoma, osteosarcoma, and chondrosarcoma), meningioma, and lymphoma. Clinically, one can observe periocular swelling, exophthalmos, hyperemia and chemosis of the conjunctiva, protrusion of the third eyelid, ocular discharge, lagophthalmos, and keratitis. These mostly occur in older dogs and cats. Sometimes, the position of the eyeball can indicate the location of the mass causing compression (e.g., if the mass is on the medial side, the eyeball will be pushed laterally). These tumors can sometimes cause acute pain if an abscess forms within the tumor, causing painful reactions when attempting retropulsion or opening of the jaw.
 
Therapy
Retrobulbar neoplasia is detected with the help of ultrasound, X-rays, CT scans, and MRI images. Biopsy and fine-needle aspiration can help in diagnosis, but the most reliable diagnosis is made through surgical excision and histopathological examination. If possible, only the neoplasm is surgically removed, with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy as needed, or enucleation/exenteration is performed.
 
Please contact our specialty veterinary ophthalmology hospital Animal Eye Consultants
of Iowa (animaleyeiowa@gmail.com) in USA or Oculus Veterinary Specialty Hospital
(oculusklinika@gmail.com) in Serbia, Europe to schedule an appointment so your pet
can be seen.