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

Case series summaryThis 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 informationPAC 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.