[Case of eyelid nodular fasciitis in which magnetic resonance imaging was useful for clinical diagnosis].

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful in pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment.

Case: A 70-year-old man. He noticed that the right side of his upper lid had swollen 3 weeks previously. No abnormal findings were recognized in visual acuity, intraocular pressure, anterior segment, lens, vitreous, or fundus. From MRI findings 10 days after his first visit, dermoid cyst, soft tissue tumor, and nodular fasciitis were suspected. Because MRI 2 months after the first visit showed a decrease in tumor size, soft tissue tumor was ruled out. Finally histopathological examination revealed nodular fasciitis, although the findings during the operation did not differentiate between dermoid cyst and nodular fasciitis.

Conclusion: MRI at different intervals was useful for clinical diagnosis.