BACKGROUND: Idiopathic orbital pseudotumor is a rare disease. 10 % of the cases occur in children. In most of these juvenile cases, the swelling is bilateral, and histologically, eosinophilic granulocytes are found. In contrast to adults, children very rarely develop an associated systemic disorder. The disease is generally treated with steroids. Little is known about the natural course of idiopathic orbital pseudotumors in childhood. PATIENT: A 2S-year old girl presented with a unilateral swelling of the right upper lid. Four weeks later, a comparable swelling of the left side was revealed. We took biopsies of the lacrimal gland on both sides. Histology displayed an eosinophilic pseudotumor of the lacrimal gland. Steroid treatment was started, but after 4 weeks the parents refused to continue the treatment. During the following year, the bilateral swelling remained unchanged. Surprisingly, the bilateral swelling disappeared 3 years later and no systemic disorder had occured. CONCLUSIONS: Our case shows that spontaneous resolution of a juvenile eosinophilic orbital pseudotumor is possible. Treatment with steroids does not appear to be compulsory in all cases.
BACKGROUND:Idiopathic orbital pseudotumor is a rare disease. 10 % of the cases occur in children. In most of these juvenile cases, the swelling is bilateral, and histologically, eosinophilic granulocytes are found. In contrast to adults, children very rarely develop an associated systemic disorder. The disease is generally treated with steroids. Little is known about the natural course of idiopathic orbital pseudotumors in childhood. PATIENT: A 2S-year old girl presented with a unilateral swelling of the right upper lid. Four weeks later, a comparable swelling of the left side was revealed. We took biopsies of the lacrimal gland on both sides. Histology displayed an eosinophilic pseudotumor of the lacrimal gland. Steroid treatment was started, but after 4 weeks the parents refused to continue the treatment. During the following year, the bilateral swelling remained unchanged. Surprisingly, the bilateral swelling disappeared 3 years later and no systemic disorder had occured. CONCLUSIONS: Our case shows that spontaneous resolution of a juvenile eosinophilic orbital pseudotumor is possible. Treatment with steroids does not appear to be compulsory in all cases.