Orbital inflammation in Churg-Strauss syndrome

A 66-year-old woman with Churg-Strauss syndrome (asthma, vasculitis and eosinophilia) presented with diffuse orbital inflammation which was treated effectively with 50 mg oral prednisolone daily. The orbital inflammation rapidly settled and the prednisolone was reduced over a two-week period. Seven years earlier, inflammation of the opposite lacrimal gland had also responded rapidly to oral prednisone. Although she had asthma at this time, Churg-Strauss syndrome was only diagnosed some years later. Patients with Churg-Strauss syndrome may present with orbital inflammation in addition to the more common neuro-ophthalmic manifestations of vasculitis affecting retina, choroid, optic nerve or ocular motor nerves.