Zoledronic acid-induced orbital inflammation in a patient with multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of malignant plasma cells which stimulates osteoclasts and is associated with increased bone turnover and osteolysis. Bisphosphonates including zolendronic acid are used to prevent skeletal complications in patients with multiple myeloma. Orbital inflammation is a rare but serious complication following use of bisphosphonates. The diagnosis is made by excluding other possible causes in patients with myeloma and rapid initiation of therapy is required. Corticosteroids are the mainstay of therapy but the ideal treatment course has not been delineated. This report describes a case of this rare complication and provides a review of the literature.