FLORID XANTHELASMATA (YELLOW LIDS) IN ORBITAL WEGENERS GRANULOMATOSIS

Aims-A new sign of florid xanthelasmata is described in four male pati ents with orbital manifestations of Wegener's granulomatosis. Methods- The case notes of four patients with Wegener's granulomatosis, with or bital involvement accompanied by yellow lid lesions, are reviewed. Res ults-All the patients had active Wegener's granulomatosis at the time the lid lesions were most florid. The lesions gradually resolved as th e inflammatory disease was controlled with immunosuppressive agents. T he lesions displayed marked asymmetry and predominantly involved the s ide with the most severe inflammation. Abnormalities of lipid metaboli sm were not identified and it is believed that the lesions developed i n a susceptible anatomical region affected by a vasculitic process. Co nclusion-A 'yellow lid' associated with orbital inflammation and is a strong pointer to the clinical diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis.