Isolated extraocular muscle abscess presenting 40 years after squint surgery

A 57-year-old man presented with an abscess localised to the lateral rectus region. He was treated as a case of orbital cellulitis because of the presence of soft tissue swelling with a localised abscess discharging through the conjunctiva with associated reduction of visual acuity and restriction of ocular movements laterally. No specific risk factors were identified but an ultrasound scan picked up a hyperechoic signal suggestive of a foreign body within the abscess. Surgical exploration did not identify a foreign body but fibrotic changes between the globe and the lateral rectus muscle were found which was suggestive of previous squint surgery. This was confirmed by the patient later on specific questioning. Periorbital infection is a rare occurrence after squint surgery and reported cases are mainly within a week after surgery. Orbital abscess probably related to an old suture granuloma 40 years after surgery has not been documented before.