Outcome of orbital myositis. Clinical features associated with recurrence

Although orbital myositis usually responds to prompt systemic therapy, recurrent or persistent episodes often require prolonged therapy. This study presents the clinical and radiologic features of 26 patients with orbital myositis and suggests a treatment regimen with special emphasis on recurrent or persistent orbital myositis.

Retrospective analysis and comparison of clinical and radiologic parameters with clinical outcome in 26 patients with strictly defined orbital myositis was performed. A consultant radiologist reviewed computed tomography studies without knowledge of the clinical data or outcome. The frequency of certain clinical and radiologic parameters among two outcome groups was analyzed using Fisher's exact test.

Comparison of clinical and radiologic features of 20 patients with a single acute episode and 6 patients with recurrent episodes disclosed several characteristics associated with recurrence. Male gender, lack of proptosis, eyelid retraction, horizontal extraocular muscle (EOM) involvement, multiple or bilateral EOM involvement (P = 0.05), muscle tendon sparing, and lack of response to systemic corticosteroids (P = 0.01), or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (P = 0.01) were associated with recurrent orbital myositis.

A treatment algorithm is suggested for patients with orbital myositis. Those patients whose clinical or radiologic features are associated with recurrence may benefit from early systemic steroid therapy.