Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology, March 1983, Volume 3, Issue 1

Orbital myositis.

We report five cases of presumed orbital myositis mimicking extraocular muscle motility disturbances and manifesting clinical signs of active inflammation over the involved muscles. Computed tomographic evidence for extraocular muscle enlargement is helpful in confirming the diagnosis. If not present or atypical, another etiology should be sought. All patients responded rapidly and dramatically to systemic corticosteroids. Anterior inflammation may be accompanied by iritis and respond to topical corticosteroids. We believe the diagnosis of orbital myositis may be made on clinical grounds with confirmation by computed tomographic evidence for extraocular muscle enlargement and clinical response to corticosteroids. Biopsy is unnecessary except in atypical cases.

]. CJin. Neuro-ophthalrnol. 3: 67-74, 1983. Orbital Myositis THOMAS C. SPOOR, M.D., M.5. WALTER C. HARTEL, M.D. Abstract We report five cases of presumed orbital myositis mimicking extraocular muscle motility disturbances and manifesting clinical signs of active inflammation over the involved muscles. Computed tomographic evidence for exraocular muscle enlargement is helpful in confirming the diagnosis. If not present or atypical, another etiology should be sought. All patients re­sponded rapidly and dramatically to systemic cortico­steroids. Anterior inflammation may be accompanied by iritis and respond to topical corticosteroids. We believe the diagnosis of orbital myositis may be made on clinical grounds with confirmation by computed tomographic evidence for extraocular muscle enlarge­ment and clinical response to corticosteroids. Biopsy is unnecessary except in atypical cases. Introduction The diagnosis of orbital myositis implies orbital inflammation confined to one or two extraocular muscles and may represent a distinct clinical entity mimicking a paretic extraocular muscle of acute onset, with restricted ductions. It is responsive to systemic corticosteroids" ~ We report five patients with acute extraocular motility dysfunction pre­sumably due to orbital myositis. The diagnosis, based upon suspicion, clinical presentation, and computed tomographic evidence, was confirmed by rapid resolution after treatment with systemic corticosteroids. Case 1 A 37-year-old woman presented with a swollen, painful right eye and horizontal diplopia. Her symptoms had increased for 3 weeks prior to re­ferral. She denied any antecedent upper respiratory infection or history of sinusitis. Examination re­vealed 20/15 acuity in each eye. The right eye was restricted in both abduction and adduction (Fig. 1). The conjunctiva over the medial rectus was in­flamed (Fig. 2). Six millimeters of proptosis were present in the right eye. Slip lamp examination and intraocular pressures were normal as was fundus- From the Department of Ophthalmology. University of South Carolina School of Medicine. Columbia, South Carolina. March 1983 copy. B-scan ultrasonography revealed a markedly enlarged medial rectus, better demonstrated by computed tomography (Fig. 3a). There was no other evidence for orbital pathology or involve­ment of the adjacent sinuses (Fig. 3b). She was treated with 80 mg prednisone daily with a rapid resolution of both pain and proptosis. Steroids were tapered over 8 weeks. Three weeks later, while taking 40 mg prednisone per day, she was asymptomatic except for mild restriction of abduc­tion of the right eye. Examination was otherwise negative. Two weeks later, while taking prednisone 10 mg per day, there was still limitation of ocular abduction. Eight weeks after presentation, she was asymptomatic and extraocular motility was normal. Prednisone was discontinued and she has remained asymptomatic for the past 6 months. Case 2 A 16-year-old boy was referred with a diagnosis of orbital cellulitis. He related a 2-day history of pain and swelling of the right periorbital region. Afferent visual function was normal. Examination revealed 4 mm of right proptosis, swelling, and erythema of the right orbit, and mild limitation of abduction and adduction of the right eye (Fig. 4). Neuro-ophthalmologic examination was otherwise normal. B-scan ultrasonogram demonstrated en­largement of the right medial rectus. Computed tomography (Figs. 5a and 5b) demonstrated an enlarged medial rectus and a diffuse right pansi­nusitis involving the right frontal, ethmoid, and maxillary sinus. He was treated with 80 mg of prednisone daily with resolution of orbital and sinus abnormalities over 48 hours. Steroids were rapidly tapered and decreased over a 2-week pe­riod. He has remained asymptomatic. Computed tomography 4 months later documented normal orbits and paranasal sinuses. Case 3 A 53-year-old woman was referred with a 1­week history of pain in the left eye increasing with abduction. She was treated by her family physician with intramuscular penicillin and oral erythromy­cin for a "blocked tear duct." When she failed to improve, she was referred for evaluation. No other significant history was elicited. Visual acuity was 67 Orbital Myositis Figure 1. Restriction of both ocular abduction and adduction due to enlarged. myositic. right medial rectus. Figure 2. Loc.lized conjunctiv.1 infl.mmatil)n lwerlying medi.1 rectus acutelv Inflamed bv orbital myositis. unimpaired. There were no localizing pupillary signs. The left orbit was exquisitely tender to pal­pation. A partial left ptosis was present. Extraocular motility was restricted in elevation and abduction (Fig. 6). There was obvious inflammation over the superomedial portion of her left globe. Two milli­meters of left proptosis were present. Slit lamp 68 Figure 3 ... Computed tomogr.m demonstrating marked en­I. rgement ()f right medial rectus. figure 3D. C()ronal reconstruction demonstrating isolated in­volvement of right medial rectus and absence of ,)djacent sinus involvement examination, intraocular pressures and funduscopy were normal. B-scan ultrasonography revealed a mass in the superomedi.11 orbit. Computed tomography dem­onstr. 1ted a well-circumscribed mass in the super­omedial orbit adjacent to and contiguous with the medi.l1 rectus (Fig. 7.1); after injection of contrast, ring enhancement was evident (Fig. 7b). There was no computed tomographic or x-ray evidence for bony destruction or involvement of the adjacent sinus. She was treated with 80 mg prednisone per day. Within 24 hours she was pain-free; after 72 hours she was asymptomatic. Prednisone was decreased Journal of Clinical Neuro-ophthalmology Figure 4. Periorbital swelling and mild limitation of ocular abduction and adduction, right eye. Spoor, H.lrtel to 40 mg per day. Two weeks later, she was totally asymptomatic and her ophthalmic examination was normal. B-scan ultrasonography revealed the acoustically homogeneous medial orbital mass to be markedly decreased in size. Prednisone was rapidly tapered and discontinued over a 6-week period. She remained asymptomatic. A repeat computed tomography was obtained 6 weeks after her initial scan and demonstrated a marked reduc- (b) Figures 5 .. and 5 b. Computed tomogr.lm, (axial .]TId coronal reconstruction) demonstrating enlargement of the right medial rectus and adJacent ethmoid Si­nusitis. March 1983 (a) 69 Orbital Myositis of the globe was inflamed. Forced ductions were positive in the right eye confirming the presence of a pseudo-Brown's syndrome. The remainder of the ocular and orbital exam was normal. There was no x-ray evidence for sinusitis. A diagnosis of superior oblique myositis was made. She was treated with 80 mg prednisone per day with rapid resolution of her symptoms. Four days later, ex­amination was normal. Steroids were rapidly ta­pered over 2 weeks. She was asymptomatic for 7 months. She then presented with mild iritis and a recurrent pseudo-Brown's syndrome. Both re­sponded to topical 1% prednisolone acetate over a 2-week period. Three months later, her superior oblique myositis recurred accompanied by supe­rior periorbital edema. Orbital computed tomog­raphy was negative, except for soft tissue swelling in the vicinity of the trochlea. She again responded to topical prednisolone acetate and is presently asymptomatic on a maintenance dose of topical prednisolone acetate twice daily. Figure 6. Orbital myositis presenting as a partial third and sixth cr.lniitl nerve paresis. tion in the size of the mass and loss of peripheral enhancement (Fig. 8a). The mass appeared contig­uous with the medial rectus (Fig. 8b). She has remained asymptomatic. Three months later, she was referred for evalu­ation of subcutaneous nodules; biopsy revealed metastatic melanoma. Oncology workup revealed disseminated osseous and cutaneous metastasis presumably from a cutaneous primary lesion ex­cised 10 years previously. Repeat computed to­mography at another institution revealed no evi­dence for orbital masses or intracranial melanoma. Case 4 A 39-year-old woman was referred for neuro­ophthalmologic consultation in December 1980, complaining of 3 days of pain and diplopia in left upgaze. Medical history was unremarkable except for an episode of iritis in the right eye several years prior to our initial examination. Visual acuity was unimpaired. Upgaze in adduc­tion was restricted, mimicking a right inferior oblique paresis (Fig. 9). The trochlear region was tender to palpation and the superomedial quadrant 70 Case 5 A 10-year-old girl was referred for evaluation of ptosis. Three weeks prior to evaluation, she awoke with a ptotic upper lid. Over the next 2 weeks, mild swelling and tenderness developed. After a negative laboratory and neuroradiologic evalua­tion, she was hospitalized and treated with in­travenous ampicillin for presumed orbital cellulitis. When the swelling and erythema increased, she was referred for neuro-ophthalmologic consulta­tion. No significant additional history was elicited. Visual acuity and color vision were equal and normal. The left upper lid was ptotic with no levator function evident. The lid was mildly ery­thematous and swollen with a palpable mass dis­tending the orbital septum. A left hypotropia was present and left superior rectus dysfunction was evident (Fig. 10). Two millimeters of left proptosis were present. The superior conjunctiva was in­flamed. The remainder of the anterior segment and fundus examination was normal. B-scan ultraso­nography demonstrated enlargement of the left superior rectus. X-rays of the sinuses were normal. Computed tomography, obtained prior to referral, demonstrated soft tissue swelling in the anterior and superior orbit. She had not been febrile and her white blood count was normal. After discon­tinuing the ampicillin, she was treated with 60 mg of prednisone daily. In 24 hours, her ptosis and superior rectus paresis had partially resolved as did her subjective symptoms. One week later, she was asymptomatic except for mild residual left ptosis. Extraocular motility was normal. Steroids were tapered and discontinued over 3 weeks. She has remained asymptomatic. Journal of Clinical Neuro-ophthalmology Spuur, Hdrtel Figure 7a, Computed tomogram demonstrating well-circumscribed mass in super­medial orbit. Figure 7b, Ring enhancement of orbital mass after injection of intravenous contrast. Discussion The first two cases represent orbital myositis confined to the medial rectus, The first patient had neither an adjacent sinusitis or an antecedent upper respiratory infection as described previously by others,:J The second patient demonstrated orbital myos­itis of the medial rectus associated with a diffuse pansinusitis, mimicking orbital cellulitis, Eshagh­ian and Anderson4 reported inflammatory orbital March 1983 masses with adjacent sinus involvement mimicking malignant neoplasia of the sinus, invading the orbit through apparent erosion of the medial orbital walL No such pseudoerosion was present in our patient. Our patient was referred with the dignosis of orbital cellulitis. Since he was only mildly febrile (100°F) and had a normal white blood count, we suspected inflammatory orbital disease. Computed tomographic evidence of an enlarged medial rectus confirmed our diagnosis. Both these patients had 71 Orbital Myositis Figure 8a. Folll'w-up computed tl'mogram JemonstrJtlng decre.lSed size llf l'rb,t.,1 mJSS Jnd Ie", of ring enhancement Figure sb. CllrL)I1JI rt.'I.:nn ... trudipl1 dl'tlHH'l<.,tr.lting n1JSS hl be 'uperll" ", .II1J "d,Jlt'nt tl' the left nleJi.ll red"'. the rapid ,md dram,ltic response to systemic corti­costeroids reported by others. ' -:! They also dem­onstrated that medial rectus myositis may occur with or without adjacent sinus involvement ,md without ,\ signific.mt antecedent upper respiratt1ry infection. Follow-up computed tomography (c,lse 2) documents total resolution of the inflammatory process in both the orbit and sinuses. Our third case represented what we believe to be a variant of orbital myositis. She presented with a painful ophthalmoplegia thought secondary to orbital myositis and her symptoms responded dra­matically to systemic corticosteroids within 24 hours. However, her computed tomography (Figs. 7a and 7b) was atypical, demonstrating an enhanc­ing medial orbital mass that failed to resolve totally on repeat scan 6 weeks later (Figs. 8a and 8b). Evaluation of coron,11 reconstructions obtained during her follow-up scan revealed the mass to be contiguous with the medial rectus (Fig. 8b). These scans are obviously different from those demon­strating obvious medi.ll rectus enl.:Jrgement. It has been suggested that this picture may represent the lymphocytic variant of idiop.lthic orbital inflam­mation.- · Shortly after the second computed tomog­raphy, extensive metastatic melanoma from a cu­taneous primary was documented. Although we have no histopathologic evidence. we wonder whether this orbital mass may also represent metastatic melanoma with a surrounding infl.:Jmmatorv response which responded dramati­cally to systemic corticosteroids. A discrete metas­t, lsis to an extraocular muscle from silent small cell c.lrcinoma has been recently described.1i Although mimicking orbital myositis, this patient did not respond to systemic corticosteroids. However, our patient's orbital symptoms did not recur after dis­continuing the corticosteroids. A follow-up scan was negative, suggesting an atypical form of orbital Journ,ll of Clinic.11 Neuro-ophthalmology Spoor, Hartel Figure 9. Orbital myositis presenting as a pseudo-Brown's syndrome, mimicking a right inferior oblique paresis. myositis. We urge clinicians to be suspicious of the diagnosis of orbital myositis if the computed to­mography picture is atypical in spite of a good clinical response to systemic corticosteroids, or if the presumed myositis fails to respond to cortico­steroids. Case 4 represented orbital myositis presenting as a pseudo-Brown's syndrome. Again, external signs of inflammation were present over the in­volved area. Computed tomography failed to dem­onstrate extraocular muscle enlargement, but we suspected a trochleitis or myositis based upon clinical findings (point tenderness, restriction of motion, and overlying inflammation). A concomi­tant anterior uveitis has been reported previously to accompany orbital inflammation7 and might be expected with an anterior site of inflammation. This patient also demonstrated that idiopathic or­bital inflammation, if anterior, may be controlled with topical corticosteroids. Case 5 represented involvement of levator and superior rectus by orbital inflammation in a child. Again, there was evidence for active inflammation (warmth, erythema, a palpable tender mass over the involved lid, and injection of vessels over the March 1983 Figure 10. Ptosis and impaired elevation. left eye, secondary to orbital myositis. Note swelling and erythema of left upper lid. involved superior rectus). Computed tomography was nonspecific as obtained on an outmoded unit, demonstrating only swelling of the lid, compatible with a preseptal cellulitis. The diagnosis here was made on clinical grounds-levator and superior rectus dysfunction accompanied by evidence of inflammation and confirmed by the rapid response to corticosteroids. High-resolution computed to­mography with appropriate coronal reconstruc­tions might well have documented enlargement of the levator and/or superior rectus. Orbital myositis represents a distinct clinical entity that may mimic many disorders of extraocu­lar motility. Evidence for local orbital inflammation should obviate against a neurologic etiology for these motility disturbances. Orbital myositis must be differentiated from other causes of orbital in­flammation with motility disturbances. We believe this can be done by clinical examination, laboratory data, and computed tomography. The most important entity to differentiate is orbital cellulitis. In our experience, these patients are febrile greater than 102°r, have a polymorpho­nuclear leukocytosis greater than 15,000, exhibit extraocular motility dysfunction, and often have a concomitant sinusitis or history of trauma. Our patients with orbital myositis have been otherwise well, essentially afebrile, and have normal white blood cell counts. Partially treated orbital cellulitis may be con­fused with orbital myositis. Case 5 was referred Orbital Myositis after her orbital swelling failed to respond to in­travenous and then oral antibiotics. In this situa­tion, without diagnostic, computed tomographic evidence, we suggest discontinuing antibiotics and observation for 24-48 hours. If the clinical status does not worsen or remains stable, the patient is treated with systemic corticosteroids expecting a prompt, dramatic response. The patient with orbital myositis has an exquis­itely tender orbit to palpation and an obvious motility defect often limited to one or two extra­ocular muscles. Vision has been unimpaired in all of our cases. We believe the diagnosis of orbital myositis can be made on clinical grounds and confirmed by computed tomographic evidence of an enlarged extraocular muscle and rapid response to systemic corticosteroids. Clinical findings included limita­tion of extraocular motility in the field of action of the affected muscle or in the opposite field, coupled with evidence of overlying inflammation and ex­quisite tenderness to palpation. Proptosis is often present, but may be minimal with more anterior lesions. Computed tomography of the orbit may docu­ment markedly enlarged extraocular muscles thought to be distinguishable from enlargement due to Graves' orbitopathy.8 The tendon is spared in a muscle enlarged secondry to Graves' orbito­pathy, whereas both muscle and tendon are en­larged (Figs. 3a, 3b, Sa, and 5b) when involved by myositis. Other causes of extraocular muscle en­largement on computed tomography such as meta­static tumors, carotid cavernous fistulae, and trauma should be discernable by history, exami­nation, and failure to respond to corticosteroids. Concomitant sinusitis may also be documented by computed tomography (case 2, Figs. Sa and 5 b). We agree with Purcell and Taulbee3 that orbital myositis is a distinct clinical entity. However, we find no consistent relationships to antecedent viral or streptococcal upper respiratory infections. Ad­jacent sinusitis mayor may not be present. When present (case 2), it responds as dramatically as the orbital involvement to systemic corticosteroids. Es­haghian and Anderson have demonstrated similar histopathology in idiopathic orbital and adjacent sinus inflammation.4 We do not postulate an etiology for orbital myositis but urge its recognition as a diagnostic entity by the clinician. Such recognition obviates the need for biopsying these inflamed orbits with their higher incidence of postoperative complica­tions. 9 We also recognize that some tumors can respond favorably to corticosteroids for a short time, but rarely as rapidly and completely as orbital myositis. We ur~e biopsy of patients presenting in an atYPical fashion, possibly by fine-needle aspi­ration under sonographic guidance as described previously. If) 74 Patients with orbital myositis may be extremely uncomfortable and, in a referral practice, far from home. Their true clinical picture may be obscured by previous antibiotic treatment or surgery. Ac­cordingly, our treatment regimen consists of hos­pitalization for observation and to expedite obain­ing computed tomography. Treatment consists of 50 mg prednisone on admission followed by 80 mg daily in four divided doses. A dramatic subjective and objective improvement is usually evident in the first 12-24 hours. Corticosteroids are rapidly tapered over 3-4 weeks. Recurrences may be treated again with systemic corticosteroids. One patient (case 4) is successfully maintained on low­dose topical steroids after refusing further systemic prednisone. Patients who fail to respond to this regimen, or have an atypical clinical picture, sub­sequently undergo either open or fine-needle as­piration biopsies as their clinical condition dictates. In essence, orbital myositis is a clinical diagnosis based upon suspicion, signs of extraocular muscle dysfunction with concomitant overlying inflam­mation, and a rapid response to systemic cortico­steroids. Computed tomographic evidence for en­larged extraocular muscles is helpful; however, if the computed tomographic picture is atypical, an­other etiology should be considered and a histo­pathologic diagnosis obtained. References 1. Blodi, F. C: Orbital inflammations. Orbit 1: 1-19, 1982. 2. Slavin, M. D., and Glaser, J. 5.: Idiopathic orbital myositis. Arch. Ophthalmol. (In press.) 3. Purcell, 1. J., and Taulbee, W. A.: Orbital myositis after upper respiratory tract infection. Arch. Oph­thalmol. 99: 437, 1981. 4. Eshaghian, ]., and Anderson, R. L.: Sinus involve­ment in inflammatory orbital pseudotumor. Arch. Ophthalmol. 99: 627, 1981. 5. Personal communications with 5. Trokel. 6. Divine, R. D., and Anderson, R. L.: Metastatic small cell carcinoma masquerading as orbital myositis. Ophthal. Surg. 13: 483, 1981. 7. Mottos, Lippa,S., Jakobiec, F. A., and Smith, M.: Idiopathic inflammatory pseudotumor in childhood. II. Ophthalmology 88: 565,1981. 8. Trokel, 5., and Hilal, 5.: Recognition and differential diagnosis of enlarged extraocular muscles in com­puted tomography. Am. /. Ophthalmol. 87: 503, 1979. 9. Jakobiec, F. A., and Jones, I. 5.: Orbital Inflammation in Diseases of the Orbit. Part 1, Jones and Jakobiec, eds. Harper & Row, Hagerstown, MD, 1979, p. 202. 10. Spoor, T. C, Kennerdell, J. 5., Johnson, B. Land Dekker, A.: Orbital fine needle aspiration biopsy with B-scan guidance. Am. /. Ophthalmol. 89: 274, 1980. Write for reprints to: Thoms C Spoor, MD., 3325 Medical Park Road, Suite 212, Columbia, South Carolina 29203. Journal of Clinical Neuro-ophthalmology