Multiple eyelid apocrine hidrocystomas in two Persian cats

Abstract

Two middle-aged Persian cats were presented for evaluation of periocular masses. On examination, multiple pigmented nodules, 2-10 mm in diameter, were found in the periocular skin. Excisional biopsy revealed unilocular cystic lesions derived from apocrine sweat glands and resembling apocrine hidrocystomas of the eyelids described in humans. Immunostaining for Ki67 identified actively proliferating epithelial cells and demonstrated, for the first time, that these cystic lesions are adenomatous proliferative tumors (cystadenomas) rather than retention cysts. In both cases, additional lesions appeared within 6 to 9 months at affected and previously unaffected sites on the eyelids.