Orbital Roof / Lateral Wall Mass

[Grandpa1947]

I am 65 years old. I recently had an CT Scan for another matter and the radiologist discovered a soft tissue mass behind my right eye. After an MRI it was determined that "There is an extraconal irregular enhancing mass seen over the superior lateral aspect of the right orbital region. The mass extends 3.34 cm AP by 1.5 cm transversely x 0.86 cm vertically. The mass is somewhat inseparable from the superior rectus muscle in several regions." He continues to say that  there are no abnormal singals involving the optic nerve, or the globes themselves, or within the brain. I have no symptoms, no sight issues, no obvious proptosis. The reccomendation is to do a Lateral Orbitotomy and lesion biopsy. My question is do I go forward with this surgey, which I understand is in a very dilicate area. Or do I wait and have subsequent MRI's and monitor any growth. On one hand the biopsy would answer the "what is it " question, but I am fearful of any long term damage as a result of the surgery since I have no symtoms of any kind.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

I have worked with Dr. White for many years, he is as bright, capable, experienced and skilled as them come. He has done surgery on over a hundred of my patients with oculoplastic problems.

His office staff is very responsive and if you make a list of questions and call them in I'm sure they can get some answers.

JCH MD

[Grandpa1947]

Thank you for your reply post. As a matter of fact Dr. William White is the doctor I am seeing and with whom my surgery is scheduled. It is reassuring that he comes with several stong reccomendations from his peers. My struggle is wieghing the risk of the surgery with the risk of waiting and seeking guidance to make the correct decision.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

This is an unusual problem for many ophthalmologists and often requires a team approach that might include Eye MDs (oculoplastic surgeon), ENT even neurosurgeons.

I notice you live in KC like me.  I can suggest William White MD and Jhemshed Khan MD both outstanding oculoplastic surgeons  with excellent surgical skills and judgment.  Washington University in St. Louis and Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN are also excellent.

JCH MD