A clinical analysis of idiopathic orbital inflammatory pseudotumor

To observe the clinical findings and response to treatment in patients with a diagnosis of idiopathic orbital inflammatory pseudotumor.

209 idiopathic orbital inflammatory pseudotumor cases seen between Jan 1, 1978 and Dec 31, 1999 in our hospital were evaluated retrospectively.

Of the 209 cases, 118 were male and 91 were female; there were 90 in the right eye, 81 left eye and 38 both eyes. Patients age ranged from 4 to 80 years (mean 44.4). Proptosis (66%), palpable mass (65%), swollen eyelid (55%), increased orbital pressure (55%) and motility restriction (48%) were the five most common presenting signs. According to radiologic and surgical findings, focal mass within orbit was the most frequent subtype (43%), followed by lacrimal inflammatory pseudotumor (32%), diffuse orbital inflammation (10%), myositis (8%). Perineuritis (2%), periscleritis (2%), acute inflammation (2%) and eyelid pseudotumor (1%) were rare clinical findings. The response to treatment (with a mean follow-up of 1.5 years) showed that the cure rate was 40% and the effective rate 97% after combined management of surgical resection, systemic steroid and local low dose radiotherapy.

Although recurrence of IOIP is common, the success rate of treatment for this group of patients is high.