Giant chalazia in the hyperimmunoglobulinemia E (hyper-IgE) syndrome

To report the occurrence of recurrent multiple giant chalazia in the hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (hyper-IgE syndrome or Job syndrome).

Two patients with hyperimmunoglobulinemia E (>500 IU/ml) had ophthalmologic examination and surgical treatment for chalazia of the eyelids.

The hyper-IgE syndrome is a rare immunodeficiency and multisystem disorder characterized by recurrent skin and pulmonary abscesses, connective tissue abnormalities, and elevated levels of serum IgE. In two patients with the hyper-IgE syndrome, multiple giant chalazia were seen in upper and lower eyelids. Despite surgical incision new giant chalazia arose.

Recurrent multiple giant chalazia may occur as an ophthalmic feature of the hyper-IgE syndrome. (Eur J Ophthalmol 2004; 14: 258-60).