Treatment of orbital pseudotumors and lymphoma

Thirty-seven patients were identified in a retrospective review at Hahnemann University and Wills Eye Hospital; they had been treated for pseudotumor or lymphoma of the orbit and had adequate follow-up (x = 61.5 months). Overall, 31 of 37 patients (83.8%) were cleared of their orbital disease. Of the nine patients treated for lymphoma, all were cleared of disease in the orbit. Twenty-two of 28 patients (78.6%) with benign disease were likewise cleared of orbital disease. Ten of 10 patients who received radiation as their initial therapy were cleared. Overall, 17 of 20 (85%) of patients who received radiation as part of their therapy were cleared of orbital disease, with mean dosages of 2,166 cGy (1 cGy = 1 rad) for benign disease and 3,547 cGy for lymphoma. Brief representative case studies and a review of the literature are presented. Two patients with benign disease were cured of disease in the orbit but went on to develop systemic lymphoma. Radiation therapy plays an essential role in the management of patients with orbital lymphomatous diseases.