Differential Diagnoses of Diseases Involving the Extrinsic Ocular Musculature ­ A Pictorial Essay

Introduction There are some inflammatory, infectious, and neoplastic diseases affecting the extrinsic orbital musculature (EOM) that present with pain, decreased visual acuity, and proptosis. Imaging is fundamental to the differential diagnoses of these diseases with similar clinical presentations. The present case series report has as main objective to illustrate and discuss the main pathologies that affect the orbit. Material and Methods The present series of cases discusses the main pathologies that can affect the extraocular musculature that can be characterized by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using cases from our institution. Results and Discussion The present study compiled several cases of ophthalmopathy from our institution to illustrate and address some of these pathologies, such as orbital lymphoma, Grave disease, metastases, periorbital cellulitis, and idiopathic orbital inflammatory syndrome. The diseases are discussed according to the presentation of clinical cases with emphasis on the main imaging findings of each pathology. Conclusion Computed tomography and MRI can help in the diagnosis and follow-up of the diseases that affect the EOM. We must be conversant with the main characteristics of the pathologies presented in the present case series report, since such findings together with clinical data can confirm the diagnosis of these diseases or at least help to narrow the differential diagnoses.

Enfermedad inflamatoria orbitaria idiopática. Presentación de un caso / Idiopathic orbital inflammatory disease. Case presentation

RESUMEN El pseudotumor orbitario es la tercera causa de oftalmoplejía dolorosa; constituye un desafío diagnóstico pues obliga a descartar enfermedades de etiología muy diversa que lo provocan. Se presenta el caso de una paciente femenina, de color de piel blanca, de procedencia urbana, ama de casa, fumadora, que no practica ejercicios ni lleva dieta, con antecedentes de hipertensión arterial y artritis reumatoidea, que acudió al Servicio de Oftalmología por presentar síntomas inflamatorios anexiales: edema palpebral, quemosis conjuntival, vasos conjuntivales dilatados, que se acompañaban de proptosis, oftalmoplejía dolorosa con diplopía y de una masa tumoral palpable a nivel de la porción supero-externa de la órbita. Se ingresó y se le realizaron estudios imagenológicos e histológicos, que solo aportaron signos inflamatorios y una pansinusitis. Se concluyó como un pseudotumor orbitario en su forma aguda de aparición, asociada a la artritis reumatoidea, cuyo diagnóstico se realizó por exclusión sobre la base de los resultados negativos de los estudios imagenológicos y de la biopsia. Llevó tratamiento con antibióticos parenterales y altas dosis de esteroides orales con regresión del cuadro y mejoría clínica. Se decidió la presentación del caso porque en la provincia no existen reportes sobre esta entidad, y por el énfasis en cómo llegar al diagnóstico y su correcto manejo, evitando con ello secuelas en el órgano visual.

ABSTRACT Orbital pseudotumor is the third cause of painful ophthalmoplegia; it constitutes a diagnostic challenge as it forces us to rule out diseases of very diverse etiology that cause it. A female patient, of white skin color, of urban origin, housewife, smoker, who does not practice exercises or is not on a diet, with a history of high blood pressure and rheumatoid arthritis, who attended the Ophthalmology service for presenting Adnexal inflammatory symptoms: eyelid edema, conjunctival chemosis, dilated conjunctival vessels, which were accompanied by proptosis, painful ophthalmoplegia with diplopia and a palpable tumor mass at the level of the superior-external portion of the orbit was presented. She was admitted and imaging and histological studies were performed, which only revealed inflammatory signs and pansinusitis. It was concluded as an orbital pseudotumor in its acute onset form, associated with rheumatoid arthritis, the diagnosis of which was made by exclusion on the basis of the negative results of imaging studies and biopsy. She was treated with parenteral antibiotics and high doses of oral steroids with regression of the symptoms and clinical improvement. The presentation of the case was decided because in the province there are no reports on this entity, and because of the emphasis on how to reach the diagnosis and its correct management, thereby avoiding effects in the visual organ.