Calcifying pseudotumor of the orbit

Orbital pseudotumor can be divided histopathologically into three basic typ es:lymphoid, granulomatous and sclerosing. Chronic lymphoid and granulomato us types may eventually transform into the sclerosing type. The calcifying orbital pseudotumor is a very rare disorder due to a chronic, idiopathic in flammatory process of the orbit. The granulomatous type shows a good respon se to steroids while radiotherapy is the method of choice for lymphoid lesi ons. In general, calcifying pseudotumors can be treated only by operative e xploration and tumor removal. We report a patient with a calcifying pseudot umor of the orbital apex that was removed through an endonasal approach. Pr eoperative diagnostic procedures and differential diagnosis are discussed.