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Antithymocyte globulin treatment of orbital Wegener granulomatosis: a follow-up study
J Kool1, R J de Keizer, C E Siegert
1Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Centre, The Netherlands.
Purpose:
To describe the follow-up of patients with orbital Wegener granulomatosis after antithymocyte globulin treatment.
Methods:
Patients with ocular/orbital Wegener granulomatosis refractory to standard treatment were selected for immunotherapy with rabbit antithymocyte globulin intravenously. The specific ocular/orbital symptoms were monitored in patients with a vision-threatening form of Wegener granulomatosis or a life-threatening form with ocular symptoms.
Results:
One patient had a complete remission, two patients had remissions but still needed additional treatment, and one patient remained refractory.
Conclusions:
In selected patients, antithymocyte globulin immunotherapy may present an alternative when vision or life is threatened by orbital Wegener granulomatosis.