Orbital myositis following streptococcal pharyngitis in a pediatric patient.

BACKGROUND: Orbital myositis is a relatively rare ocular inflammatory disease. It is currently classified as an idiopathic orbital inflammatory disease, but has been associated with ocular and systemic disorders, including scleritis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and systemic lupus erythematosis. Orbital myositis has also been associated with infectious disease such as streptococcal pharyngitis, viral upper respiratory infection, and Borrelia burgdorferi infection. CASE REPORT AND DISCUSSION: This report documents treatment and imaging of a 13-year-old boy who had an episode of right-sided orbital myositis following streptococcal pharyngitis with anti-streptolysin-o (ASO) titer elevation to 1,188 IU/ml. Clinically, this patient demonstrated acute onset of marked restriction and mild under-action of the lateral rectus muscle of the right eye. Thickening of the lateral and medial recti was demonstrated on computed tomography. The mild orbital myositis was treated with oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy. The nonconcomitant strabismus resolved approximately 7 weeks after initial presentation. General orbital inflammatory disease management and the association of upper respiratory tract infection with orbital myositis are discussed. CONCLUSION: Orbital myositis is a distinct clinical entity that can occur after streptococcal upper respiratory infection, consisting of pain on ocular movement, localized swelling, restrictive strabismus, and inflammatory signs of the involved muscle(s).     

A case of orbital myositis complicated with optic neuropathy--analysis of the pathological mechanism of optic neuropathy from magnetic resonance imaging findings

BACKGROUND: We observed a rare case of orbital myositis involving the optic nerve. Case: A 52-year-old woman complained of visual disturbance, lid swelling, ocular pain, and conjunctival injection in her right eye. Her corrected vision was 0.15 in the right eye and 1.2 in the left eye. Relative afferent pupillary defect(RAPD) and central scotoma in visual field test were noted in the right eye. Ocular movement of her right eye was moderately disturbed in all directions. Although laboratory data showed elevation of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, other hematological data such as thyroid function, autoimmune antibodies, and viral infection antibodies were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) findings showed compression of the optic nerve at the orbital apex by marked thickening of the right lateral rectus muscle and superior rectus muscle, and inflammation directly invading the optic nerve. Based on the above findings, we diagnosed the case as orbital myositis complicated with optic neuropathy, and started corticosteroid therapy. Her right corrected vision improved dramatically, and the RAPD, central scotoma, and lid swelling disappeared shortly after administration. Enlargement of the extraocular muscles was still present one month after corticosteroid therapy. CONCLUSION: MRI findings suggested that optic neuropathy in this case was induced not only by mechanical compression by the enlarged extraocular muscles at the orbital apex but also by direct inflammatory infiltration from the extraocular muscles.     

Acquired retraction of the eye as the first sign of myositis

The authors report a patient who was diagnosed with idiopathic orbital myositis based on the findings of diplopia, worse on right gaze, globe retraction on adduction and injection at the lateral muscle tendon insertion of the left eye. Although orbital myositis as a cause of acquired retraction of the eye is rare, they wish to emphasize the importance of globe retraction with injection over the recti as an important clue for the diagnosis of orbital myositis.     

肌炎型特发性眼眶炎性假瘤

目的探讨肌炎型眼眶特发性炎性假瘤的临床特点.方法回顾分析我院1978年1月～1999年12月特发性眼眶炎性假瘤病例,每例均有完整的临床特点、影像表现、诊断和治疗结果等记录.随访时间为1周到9年(平均4个月).结果　209例眼眶特发性炎性假瘤中,16例(8%)属于肌炎型眼眶特发性炎性假瘤.其中男6例,女10例;右眼6例,左眼7例,双眼3例;平均就诊年龄39岁.以眼球运动受限与斜视(87.5%)、复视(68.8%)、眼球突出(62.5%)为最常见表现,眼部充血(43.8%)和疼痛(43.8%)是与其它类型斜视不同的重要特点.各条眼外肌中,上直肌受累最常见(62.5%),其次为外直肌(43.8%),内直肌(31%)和下直肌(31%).经全身激素或激素联合局部放射治疗后,治愈率为56%,有效率为75%,复发率为75%.结论肌炎型是特发性眼眶炎性假瘤中较少见的临床亚型之一,以上直肌受累最常见,其次为外直肌、内直肌与下直肌.全身激素或激素联合放射治疗的治愈率只有56%,而复发率高达75%.如何提高治愈率与减少复发率是今后努力的方向.     

Einseitiger Exophthalmus mit Orbitaeinblutung

A 46-year-old woman presented with a sudden onset of non-traumatic periorbital hemorrhage, painless proptosis, conjunctival chemosis and injection as well as motility restriction of the right eye with double vision. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an extraconal mass in the medial orbit with lateral displacement of the medial rectus muscle and the eyeball without optic nerve involvement. A biopsy led to the diagnosis of non-specific inflammation. This case shows that sudden periorbital hemorrhages can be a sign for idiopathic orbital inflammation.     

Spontaneous orbital haemorrhage into the lateral rectus muscle

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous orbital haemorrhage can occur at any age. The clinical presentation is often dramatic with acute painful proptosis and nausea. Vision may be severely impaired. HISTORY AND SIGNS: A 77 years old lady woke up with sudden retroocular pain, diplopia and proptosis. Her blood pressure was 235 / 95 mmHg. MRI showed a right retroocular mass, contiguous with the lateral rectus muscle and consistent with a haemorrhage. Vision was preserved in both eyes but the right visual field slightly altered. Motility of the right eye was severely impaired. THERAPY AND OUTCOME: The risks of surgical drainage were considered too high in a case of only slight visual field impairment, and a conservative attitude was decided. Evolution was good with antihypertensive treatment, the haemorrhage resorbed and diplopia improved. MRI showed no morphological orbital anomaly. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous orbital haemorrhage is a complication of a vascular orbital anomaly in most cases, more rarely due to a disturbance of coagulation. In our case arterial hypertension in association with antiaggregant intake explains the haemorrhage. Conservative treatment appears adequate with regard to the only slight visual field impairment. Close neuro-ophthalmological follow-up is, however, needed.     

Localised vasculitis - an uncommon cause of an unilateral persistent blepharoedema

BACKGROUND: To report on the rare case of a localised small-vessel vasculitis causing persistent blepharoedema. HISTORY AND SIGNS: A 58-year old woman presented with sudden occurrence of a severe, unilateral blepharoedema. THERAPY AND OUTCOME: Extended serological examination, orbital CT, and MRI were normal; sonography showed slight thickening of the lateral rectus muscle. Under treatment with higher dosed steroids, the swelling of the lid vanished, but relapsed when the therapy was gradually reduced. Biopsy revealed florid vasculitis of the small vessels in the orbital soft tissue. No signs of systemic manifestation were found. CONCLUSIONS: Our patient presented with a localised, eosinophilic vasculitis of the small orbita vessels, a very rare cause of blepharoedema. In the literature only three cases with a localised eosinophilic vasculitis have been reported previously. Early diagnostic biopsy is recommended in such cases of persistent blepharoedema.     

A unique case of foreign-body associated orbital myositis

A 50-year-old woman presented with a 2-week history of diplopia and right-sided orbital pain with eye movement. Examination revealed an edematous, ptotic right upper eyelid with conjunctival hyperemia, proptosis, and significant limitation to upward and downward ductions on the right. MRI was significant for a homogeneously enhancing lesion within the superior rectus muscle. A laboratory evaluation seeking an infectious, inflammatory, or autoimmune process was nonrevealing. A diagnosis of orbital myositis was made, and the patient experienced significant improvement with oral corticosteroids. The patient's symptoms, however, recurred after attempts at a slow taper of the corticosteroids. An orbital biopsy of the lesion revealed fibroadipose tissue containing irregularly shaped yellow-white deposits birefringent under polarized light, suggestive of silica crystals. The patient denied any history of trauma or prior surgery. An intraorbital triamcinolone injection to the superior orbit allowed resolution of symptoms and a successful taper off systemic corticosteroids.     

Accessory lateral rectus muscle in a patient with congenital third-nerve palsy

PURPOSE: To report a case of accessory lateral rectus muscle in a patient with congenital third-nerve palsy. DESIGN: Observational case report. METHODS: An 18-year-old boy with left exodeviation, ptosis, pupil dilation, and limited adduction, supraduction, and infraduction of his left eye. Left lateral rectus muscle recession and medial rectus muscle resection were done. An orbital computed tomographic (CT) scan was obtained. RESULT: Intraoperatively, an accessory muscle was found under the lateral rectus muscle. Postoperatively, the orbital CT scan showed accessory lateral rectus muscle located in the medial side of the lateral rectus muscle. CONCLUSION: Accessory lateral rectus muscle was demonstrated in a patient with congenital third-nerve palsy using lateral rectus muscle surgery and an orbital CT scan.     

A Clinical Analysis of Idiopathic Orbital Inflammatory Pseudotumor

Purpose: To observe the clinical findings and response to treatment in patients with a diagnosis of idiopathic orbital inflammatory pseudotumor.Methods: 209 idiopathic orbital inflammatory pseudotumor cases seen between Jan 1, 1978 and Dec 31, 1999 in our hospital were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Of the 209 cases, 118 were male and 91 were female; there were 90 in the right eye, 81 left eye and 38 both eyes. Patients age ranged from 4 to 80 years (mean 44.4). Proptosis (66%), palpable mass (65%), swollen eyelid (55%), increased orbital pressure (55%) and motility restriction (48%) were the five most common presenting signs. According to radiologic and surgical findings, focal mass within orbit was the most frequent subtype (43% ), followed by lacrimal inflammatory pseudotumor (32%), diffuse orbital inflammation (10%), myositis (8%) . Perineuritis (2%), periscleritis(2%), acute inflammation (2%) and eyelid pseudotumor (1%) were rare clinical findings. The response to treatment (with a mean follow     

Orbital myositis involving the oblique muscles. An echographic study

Idiopathic orbital myositis is a common nonspecific orbital inflammatory syndrome that can involve one or more of the extraocular muscles. Oblique muscle involvement is infrequently reported, possibly because such involvement is difficult to identify clinically or by computed tomography (CT). The authors reviewed seven cases of orbital myositis involving the oblique muscles solely or in association with rectus muscle involvement. Standardized echography demonstrated homogeneous low-reflective enlargement, diagnostic of myositis, of the superior and inferior oblique muscles and tendons along their courses. The finding of massive inferior chemosis was associated with involvement of the inferior oblique muscle. Although the disease typically responds to therapy with systemic steroids, residual gaze restriction may occur. The oblique muscles may be frequently involved in idiopathic orbital myositis when evaluated by standardized orbital echography. In these cases, echography provides rapid, accurate, and reliable confirmation of the diagnosis of myositis, differentiates other orbital inflammatory diseases, and provides an objective measure of the therapeutic response.     

Orbital myositis associated with ulcerative colitis

We report a rare case of a 32-year-old Caucasian man who presented with a 2-month history of progressive proptosis in his left eye with no visual impairment nor diplopia. He had suffered from ulcerative colitis for 3 years before presentation. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans demonstrated mild proptosis and isolated enlargement of the left superior rectus muscle. Laboratory examination results showed no evidence of other ocular or systemic disease. He was treated with a short course of systemic steroids. His intestinal and eye conditions quickly improved over the following weeks. After a 1-year follow up, the orbital myositis remains unchanged and the digestive condition is satisfactory with a long-term mesalazine therapy. To our knowledge fewer than 10 cases of orbital myositis associated with ulcerative colitis have been reported in the literature. We present and discuss a new case with a concomitant evolution between these two disorders.     

Unilateral aplasia of a lateral rectus muscle

BACKGROUND: The congenital absence of an extraocular muscle is rare. The case of an unilateral lateral rectus muscle and a review of the literature are presented. PATIENT AND METHODS: A healthy 7-year old boy with inconspicuous family history was seen in our clinic. The boy had been noted to have a right esotropia from infancy. Clinical orthoptical examinations and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed. The esotropia was corrected by transposition of the superior and inferior rectus muscle. RESULTS: With correction of the myopic astigmatism the visual acuity of either eye was 0.8. The right eye could not abduct to pass the midline, the left eye passed the midline by 35 degrees. From the primary position the right eye was able to elevate by 20 degrees and the left eye to elevate 15 degrees. The alternate prism and cover test showed in either eye fixation an esotropia of 24 degrees without significant change in elevation or depression. Besides, there was a hypertropia (+VD) of 14 degrees which increased to 21 degrees in left gaze and decreased to 0 degree in right gaze. Indirect ophthalmoscopy showed a bilateral excyclo position of approximately 5-10 degrees. Retraction of either eye was not seen in any gaze direction. The axial length of the right/left eye was 25.2 mm/24.6 mm. Aplasia of the right lateral rectus muscle and hypoplasia of the left lateral rectus muscle could be demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging. Intraoperatively the right lateral rectus muscle was absent. The vertical eye muscle inserted regularly. Hummelsheim's procedure was performed. Eight months postoperatively, the boy was orthotropic in primary position. The inferior oblique overaction was still present together with a "V" pattern of 8 degrees. The Bagolini test was positive. CONCLUSION: The congenital absence of one or more extraocular muscles is a rare condition, which has to be considered as a differential diagnosis to neurogenic nerve palsy.     

Assessment of inflammation in idiopathic orbital myositis with fat-suppressed T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging

PURPOSE: To evaluate the inflammation in idiopathic orbital myositis by fat-suppressed T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). DESIGN: Observational case series. METHODS: The inflammation in nine patients with orbital myositis was evaluated with fat-suppressed T2-weighted MRI within three weeks of onset. Patients were mainly treated with steroid pulse therapy and followed to the acute improvement or chronic ocular motility restriction phases. RESULTS: Each patient was found to have localized inflammations in the extraocular muscles or associated fascial structures. Of the five patients with acute improvement, none had inflammation of the extraocular muscles, whereas the four patients with chronic ocular motility restriction had inflammation of the extraocular muscles. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that acute or chronic pattern in orbital myositis is correlated with the localized inflammation. The inflammation in the extraocular muscles may be one of the factors that lead to the chronic ocular motility restriction.     

共同性内斜视患者眼眶MRI成像中直肌坐标值及横截面积动态变化的研究

目的:用MRI研究共同性内斜视患者内外直肌在眼眶中的静态位置及舒缩运动时的变化,观察共同性内斜视患者中是否存在内外直肌的位置和功能异常。方法:应用眼球动态MRI技术,获取6例共同性内斜视患者在原在位及眼球水平方向转动时的冠状位磁共振图像,应用计算机图像测量软件对原在位时内外直肌横截面中心相对眼眶中心的坐标值;眼球内外转时,观察内外直肌最大横截面积所在平面面积的变化。同时设立正常对照组,将两组结果进行统计学比较。结果:共同性内斜视患者内外直肌在眼眶的位置较正常人无显著差异,共同性内斜视患者和正常人内外直肌最大横截面积位于眼球-视神经交接面后6mm,眼球内外转时,内外直肌最大横截面积的变化在两组无显著性差异。结论:内外直肌的位置和功能异常可能没有参与共同性内斜视的发生。     

Isolated medial rectus muscle rupture after a traffic accident.

A 30-year-old male suffered an orbital trauma due to a traffic accident. At the Emergency Unit, the patient presented with avulsion of the upper left eyelid in the medial canthus, wounds in the lower eyelid and the inferior canaliculus, conjunctival laceration, proptosis and palpebral hematomas. The patient reported persistent diplopia. During the examination, exotropia and total absence of adduction were observed. Computerized tomography (CT) revealed a discontinuity at the left medial rectus. No orbital fractures were identifiable. The medial rectus was still attached to its anatomic insertion at the globe. The discontinuity was suggestive of laceration or rupture of this muscle at approximately 10-12 mm from its insertion. Surgical exploration revealed total rupture of the medial rectus at approximately 12 mm from its insertion. The posterior edge of the damaged muscle was found and sutured to its anterior edge with 6-0 polyglactin. The following day, the eyes were completely straight and the patient did not mention any signs of diplopia. Botulinum toxin injection into the ipsilateral lateral rectus was not necessary. After six months of follow-up, the patient still reported no diplopia. When muscular laceration is suspected after an orbital trauma, early CT is recommended. The only procedures that assure a significant recovery of the normal function of the eye are early muscle repair and avoidance, if possible, of transposition surgery.     

眼眶CT呈现铸型征的临床意义

目的:回顾性阅读眼眶CT 1354例,总结、归纳CT征:铸型征的临床意义。方法:参阅1354例眼眶CT片,选择出现铸型征的CT图像,将其病因分类并讨论其在眼眶病中诊断与鉴别诊断的意义。结果:在1354例眼眶CF中,发现123例出现铸型征,按其病因大致分为:血管性疾病45例,占36.5％;恶性肿瘤40例,占29.5％;眼眶非特异性炎症和慢性炎症27例,占21.9％;其他有11例,占8.9％。结论:铸型征是眼眶CT中一种特异性征象,对眼眶病的诊断有重要价值。结合其他影像检查,对某些疾病可以做出定性诊断。     

Orbital myositis with Lyme disease

We examined, treated, and followed up for nine years a 5-year-old girl with active Lyme disease and orbital myositis. Clinically, the patient demonstrated typical symptoms for each of the major stages of Lyme disease, including fever, erythema chronicum migrans, aseptic meningitis, Bell's palsy, and arthritis. She subsequently developed clinical and computed tomographic evidence of orbital myositis. Although orbital myositis is generally considered to be an idiopathic inflammation, our findings suggest that in certain patients it may be a manifestation of Lyme disease.     

An Unexpected Outcome of Blunt Ocular Trauma: Rupture of Three Muscles

Introduction: Traumatic strabismus due to isolated extraocular muscle rupture is uncommon. Treatment usually depends on the severity of both the subjective and objective findings. Methods: We report a male patient with restricted abduction and supraduction in the right eye follow ing a blunt ocular trauma. The exploration revealed the rupture of superior rectus, superior oblique, and lateral rectus muscles. Only lateral rectus muscle could be sutured to the proximal segment. Superior rectus and superior oblique muscles were severed brutally, so that repairing was not possible.

Results: On the day after exploration and primary suturation, there was 25 prism diopters (PD) hypotropia and 15 PD esotropia in his right eye with severe limited supraduction and abduction. His major complaint was a large vertical diplopia which resolved partially with the prismatic glasses prescribed. After 6 months follow-up, medial rectus and inferior rectus recession was performed in the right eye. The patient had a limited but improved abduction after the operation. He was orthotropic and had a single binocular vision in the primary position.

Discussion: In suspected extraocular muscle ruptures, orbital imaging methods and surgical exploration should be considered promptly. MRI may be mandatory to demonstrate the severed muscles in cases with persistent diplopia and normal CT. Prognosis is usually better in patients having partial extraocular muscle damage and treatment options should be evaluated on patient basis.     

MRI in the heavy eye phenomenon

The heavy eye phenomenon presents as progressive esotropia and hypotropia in high myopia. It appears to be due to compression of the lateral rectus muscle against the lateral orbital wall by the enlarged myopic globe. We present the first published magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of this condition and a summary of the literature.