[Relapsing ophthalmoplegia as a presenting symptom of orbital myositis]. / Ophtalmoplégie indolore et récidivante révélatrice d'une myosite orbitaire.

INTRODUCTION: We report a case of orbital myositis revealed by a relapsing and initially painless ophthalmoplegia. CASE REPORT: A 50-year-old patient suddenly presented with an isolated palsy of the right lateral rectus muscle which recovered in 3 weeks after a short-lasting corticosteroid therapy but relapsed. Cerebral and orbital imaging were normal. Orbital pain with a fluctuating course occurred 6 months later. Two years after the clinical onset, orbital CT scan revealed a fusiform hypertrophy of the right lateral rectus muscle which was enhanced by contrast. After corticosteroid treatment, the symptoms improved and CT scan became normal. CONCLUSION: Orbital myositis may not be ruled out in case of painless ophthalmoplegia and systematic and repeated imaging is necessary.