Inflammatory
Pseudotumor: Idiopathic orbital inflammation is the preferred
name for this space occupying inflammatory disorder of the orbit
that simulates a neoplasm. Patients usually report abrupt onset
of diffuse or compartmentalized orbital pain and various other
symptoms. Clinical signs can include diplopia, restricted EOM,
lid erythema, edema and vascular congestion. This is a diagnosis
of exclusion, so other causes of orbital inflammation must be
ruled-out. Patients may have an increased SED rate, positive ANA
and pleocytosis of CSF. Scans
(1) often
show nonspecific inflammation of the soft tissues of the orbit,
and biopsy reveals a nongranulomatous cellular infiltrate, often
with fibrosis of tissue. Note the eosinophils which are often
present among the acute inflammatory cells. Most patients respond
to systemic steroids. If not , chemotherapeutic agents or orbital
radiation may be of benefit. Back
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