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Published on: August 4, 2022
Inflammatory disorders of the orbit in childhood: a case series
Caroline Belanger1, Kevin S Zhang, Ashvini K Reddy
1Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Insights
Pediatric orbital inflammation is uncommon but may link to systemic conditions. Key signs include lacrimal gland swelling, eye pain, and proptosis. Bilateral cases may indicate systemic disease.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Inflammatory Disorders
Background:
- Orbital inflammatory disorders in children are rare.
- Understanding their presentation and associations is crucial for diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a series of pediatric orbital inflammatory disorder cases.
- To identify common clinical presentations, diagnostic findings, and treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series review.
- Analysis of medical records from Texas Children's Hospital (2002-2008).
- Data included demographics, diagnosis, treatment, and biopsy results.
Main Results:
- Twelve pediatric cases of orbital inflammation were identified.
- Common signs: lacrimal gland enlargement (bilateral in 3), proptosis, pain on eye movement, motility limitation.
- Half of patients had systemic complaints (e.g., fever); 4 had systemic causes.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric orbital inflammation is uncommon and can be associated with systemic conditions.
- Typical presentation involves lacrimal gland, pain, proptosis, and motility deficits.
- Bilateral involvement may suggest a higher incidence of systemic disease.
Purpose:
To describe a series of cases of orbital inflammatory disorders in children.
Design:
Retrospective case series.
Methods:
The medical records of pediatric patients diagnosed with orbital inflammation between September 1, 2002, and December 31, 2008, at Texas Children's Hospital were reviewed. Data collected included age at presentation, final diagnosis, treatment, workup and evaluation, need for biopsy and biopsy results, and involvement of lacrimal gland and muscles.
Results:
Twelve cases were identified. Six cases were males and 6 were females with age at presentation ranging from 1.3 to 16.2 years (mean, 11.9 years). The most common presentation was lacrimal gland enlargement, which was bilateral in 3 cases. Other common presenting signs were proptosis, extraocular motility limitation, and pain on eye movement. Half of our patients had systemic complaints at presentation, the most common of which was fever. Four patients were diagnosed as having a systemic cause and 2 of these patients had systemic symptoms.
Conclusions:
Idiopathic orbital inflammatory conditions in children are uncommon, but can be associated with systemic conditions. Patients typically have lacrimal gland involvement, pain with eye movement, proptosis, and motility deficits at presentation. Bilateral cases may have a higher incidence of systemic disease.
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