Orbital inflammatory disease in relapsing polychondritis.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Rheumatology
• Oncology

Background:

• Orbital inflammatory disease can present with varied etiologies.
• Relapsing polychondritis is a rare systemic inflammatory disorder affecting cartilaginous structures.
• The association between orbital inflammation and relapsing polychondritis requires further investigation.

Observation:

• A 73-year-old male presented with bilateral relapsing, remitting orbital inflammation.
• Initial symptoms were unresponsive to antibiotics but resolved with systemic steroids.
• The patient was later diagnosed with relapsing polychondritis and subsequently developed multiple myeloma.

Findings:

• Orbital inflammation in this case was initially treated as an isolated condition.
• The patient's diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis occurred one year after orbital symptoms began.
• Multiple myeloma developed seven years after the initial orbital inflammation presentation.

Implications:

• Systemic steroid therapy can effectively manage acute orbital inflammation.
• Close collaboration with rheumatology is essential for managing relapsing polychondritis and associated orbital disease.
• Long-term surveillance is necessary to detect potential malignant transformation of orbital lesions and other hematologic malignancies.