ACUTE ORBITAL MYOSITIS

We examined 9 consecutive cases of unilateral orbital myositis (7 wome n and 2 men; age range 15-46 years) presenting to Casualty. Only 3 wer e correctly diagnosed on the first visit. Eight patients exhibited glo be retraction in the acute stages and, after treatment with systemic s teroids, all made a full recovery, None of the patients had associated systemic disease and all remain well over a 6-12 month follow-up peri od, Orbital myositis may be a more common condition than previously th ought; it can present with a variety of clinical signs, and may be dif ficult to diagnose in the early stages, The presence of globe retracti on on movement of a painful, injected eye is a useful diagnostic sign which indicates inflammation of extraocular muscles and is present in the acute stages of the disease; we explain how to elicit globe retrac tion and suggest a management protocol for these patients.