Proptosis in a Patient With Known Graft Versus Host Disease

A retrospective review of the medical reports of a patient who was undergoing treatment for graft versus host disease following bone marrow transplant for acute myeloid leukemia was conducted. The patient presented with persistent ocular irritation and injection. For an unclear period of time, he developed proptosis and binocular diplopia with limitation of extraocular motility insidiously. MRI revealed gross enlargement of extraocular muscles and bone marrow aspiration trephine confirmed relapse of leukemia. He then underwent chemotherapy with marked improvement of proptosis and extraocular motility. This case report highlights the importance of the eye care provider's careful assessment of patients with a history of malignancy. The presence of ocular irritation must not distract from the detection of other signs. Proptosis and extraocular motility limitation are rarely associated with graft versus host disease. The presence of these signs warrants orbital imaging to rule out recurrence of the primary malignancy.This case report highlights how proptosis and extraocular motility limitation seen in a patient with graft versus host disease may point to recurrence of the primary malignancy.