Diode laser surgery for palpebral apocrine cystadenomatosis - a retrospective case series of four cats

Sep 23, 2026

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Diode laser surgery is evaluated for feline palpebral apocrine cystadenomatosis (PAC) in a retrospective case series of four client-owned cats between 2019 and 2024. Three cats had histologically confirmed PAC; in the fourth, diagnosis was strongly suspected after lesion rupture during surgery. All cats received diode laser vaporisation under general anaesthesia, with no reported recurrence at treated sites, including one case followed for 6 years. The technique showed good tolerance and minimal postoperative pain or inflammation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

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Abstract

Case series summary

Relevance and novel information

Plain language summary

Introduction

Diode laser surgery for palpebral apocrine cystadenomatosis: a retrospective case series of four cats Sarah Pariente1, Elisa Perrone1, Charlotte Barbé2 , Frédéric Goulle1 and Sébastien Viaud1 Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 1–9 © The Author(s) 2026 Article reuse guidelines: [sagepub.com/journals-permissions](sagepub.com/journals-permissions)[ ](sagepub.com/journals-permissions)[DOI: 10.1177/1098612X261446575](DOI: 10.1177/1098612X261446575)[ ](DOI: 10.1177/1098612X261446575)[journals.sagepub.com/home/jfm](journals.sagepub.com/home/jfm) This paper was handled and processed by the European Editorial Office for publication in JFMS Abstract Case series summary This report represents a retrospective case series of feline palpebral apocrine cystadenomatosis (PAC) . Between 2019 and 2024, four client-owned cats (three Persian cats, one Siberian cat) were referred to the ophthalmology and dermatology departments of a private veterinary hospital for one or more greyish lesions of the eyelids that had been evolving for 1 month to 1 year. Three cats underwent histological examination, with a diagnosis of PAC. In the fourth case, this could not be performed as the single lesion ruptured during surgery. All cats were treated by diode laser vaporisation under general anaesthesia. No recurrence was reported at any previously treated sites, including the first case, which was followed up for 6 years. Relevance and novel information PAC is a rare benign cutaneous proliferation of modified apocrine glands of the eyelid (glands of Moll), mainly described in Persian cats. It presents as one or more greyish cysts of varying sizes. To the authors’ knowledge, this case series is the first to report multiple feline cases of PAC treated with diode laser vaporisation. Diode laser surgery appeared safe, well tolerated and effective, with minimal postoperative pain or inflammation and no recurrence observed at treated sites. This technique represents a practical alternative to carbon dioxide laser treatment. However, its clinical use may be limited by equipment cost, the need for appropriate operator training and the risk of collateral thermal injury if inappropriate settings are applied. Plain language summary Diode laser treatment of eyelid cysts in four cats Palpebral apocrine cystadenomatosis is a rare, non-cancerous condition affecting the eyelids of cats, especially Persian cats. It causes one or more fluid-filled cysts to develop along the eyelid margin, which may interfere with blinking or cause ocular irritation. Several treatment options have been described, but information on the use of diode laser surgery for this condition remains very limited. This article describes four cats that were treated with diode laser surgery for eyelid cysts between 2019 and 2024. Three cats had a confirmed diagnosis based on laboratory examination of the tissue. In the fourth cat, the diagnosis was strongly suspected based on the appearance and history of the lesion, although laboratory confirmation was not possible. All cats underwent diode laser treatment under general anaesthesia. The treatment was well tolerated in all cases, and healing was uneventful. No recurrence of the lesions was observed at the treated sites, including in one cat that was followed up for 6 years after treatment. No significant complications were reported. These results suggest that diode laser surgery is a safe and effective option for treating eyelid cysts in cats. As diode lasers are increasingly available in veterinary practice, particularly in dermatology, this technique may represent a practical alternative to other treatment methods for managing eyelid lesions in cats. 1CHV Anicura Aquivet, Mérignac, France 2Clinique Vétérinaire Saint-Jacques, Agen, France Corresponding author: Sarah Pariente DVM, CHV Anicura Aquivet, 4–6 rue Léon Morane, Mérignac 33700, France Email: [sarah.pariente@anicura.fr](sarah.pariente@anicura.fr) Creative Commons

FAQs

What outcomes were reported after diode laser treatment?

Treatment was well tolerated with healing described as uneventful and minimal postoperative pain or inflammation. No recurrence was reported at treated sites, including a case followed for 6 years.

Sep 23, 2026

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