Inflammatory Bowel Disease-Associated With Orbital Myositis and an Internal Necrotizing Collection

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an autoimmune inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract and encompasses 2 major subtypes: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Orbital myositis is an uncommon ophthalmic extraintestinal manifestation of IBD and may be associated with an internal necrotic collection. The presence of a necrotic collection in orbital myositis narrows the diagnostic differential to several infectious and noninfectious etiologies. The distinction between an infectious and noninfectious etiology is of significant therapeutic consideration, as management differs greatly. The authors present a case of a 17-year-old female presenting with a left lateral rectus orbital myositis associated with an internal necrotizing collection of the left lateral rectus. Histopathology demonstrated severe nonspecific chronic orbital myositis with features suggestive of focal granulomatous inflammation. She had an elevated fecal calprotectin and proceed to a colonoscopy, ultimately confirming a diagnosis of Crohn's disease. She was subsequently commenced on oral azathioprine and an oral prednisolone tapering course with ongoing follow-up. Her orbital disease remains quiescent at 6 months following her diagnosis.