[Diagnostic problems posed by inflammatory pseudotumors of the orbit: study of 3 cases]

Orbital inflammatory pseudo-tumor is a rare benign condition not always very well known by pathologists. Clinical characteristics and laboratory data were reviewed in 3 affected patients (one child, two adults). Changes in orbital tissues were described according to various histopathological classifications reported in literature. The authors stressed the difficulties to diagnose such a lesion and to eliminate the possibility of either eosinophilic granuloma or rhabdomyosarcoma in infants. As in most cases the disease responded favourably to steroids and its etiology was unknown. Relapses, bilateralization and bad effect of biopsy should be considered.