The case of a 25-year-old woman with
adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland is reported. Her complaints, including
pain and localized swelling, first started six years earlier. She was diagnosed elsewhere as
orbital pseudotumor based on clinical and computed tomographic features and was prescribed oral
corticosteroids. The regimen completely relieved her signs and symptoms, which regularly recurred in the ensuing years. When she finally presented with rapidly worsening
proptosis and
pain, she underwent incisional biopsy followed by exenteration and 6000 cGy of
radiotherapy. This patient is a rare example of
adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland with an atypical
clinical course of long duration during which
corticosteroids completely suppressed the clinical signs and symptoms.