Malignant orbital tumors in children: A series of 4 cases.

Introduction: Malignant tumors in children are rare but serious conditions as they can impair function and survival. Tumors in pediatric patients can originate from the orbit. Rarely, the tumor spreads to the adjacent areas and occasionally it may metastasize. Objectives: The objective of this study is to present the common symptoms and the clinical and radiological characteristics of most common malignant orbital tumors in children. Materials and methods : Through the discussion of 4 clinical cases of children presenting with exophthalmos due to a tumor, the authors highlight that clinical symptoms are usually less specific, and that imaging has an important role in diagnosis, determining location, and local and regional expansion of the tumor in order to find the adequate therapy. Results: Our patients' ages ranged from 2 to 5 years. The revealing sign in each case was a unilateral exophthalmos due to a tumor, which could only be reduced minimally or not at all. Its evolution has been rapidly progressive. Orbital imaging and histologic study, if biopsy was possible, allowed guiding the positive diagnosis of the malignant nature and its local and regional spreading, as well as the adequate treatment. Conclusion: Orbital tumors are rare in the pediatric population. However, due to recent remarkable progress obtained through both complimentary diagnostic tools and treatments, these malignancies deserve the attention of both the ophthalmologists and the pediatricians.