Idiopathic orbital pseudotumours in adults

We treated 24 cases of orbital pseudotumour from January 1981 through January 1993. The clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes were analyzed retrospectively by reviewing the medical records, radiological studies, and histological examination. All patients presented with symptoms related to the eye (proptosis, lid swelling, limited ocular motion and/or pain, chemosis, and visual disturbance), while only five patients had symptoms pertaining to the ear, nose, and throat besides the ophthalmological symptoms. Plain X-ray findings were not contributory to the diagnosis. Computed tomograms (CT) showed non-specific findings such as hypertrophy of the extra-ocular muscles and well-defined or poorly defined mass. Pathological findings were non-specific, only to reveal benign lymphoid hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration with necrotizing vasculitis. Twenty-four patients were treated with high-dose steroid therapy which resulted in a significant improvement in 10 patients (42%).