Orbital pseudotumor: case report and literature review

The term orbital pseudotumor refers to a broad category of non-specific idi opathic inflammations of the orbit. This disease, which may affect any orbi tal structure, is one of the commonest causes of exophtalmus, occurring wit h a similar incidence in both sexes. The diagnosis is based on a combinatio n of clinical, radiological and histopathological findings, after careful e xclusion of specific systemic and local diseases. Many classification syste ms have been proposed and a range of therapeutic modalities, including surg ery, steroids, immunosuppressive agents, and radiation therapy, have been e mployed by various authors in heterogeneous series of patients. This slowly proliferating disease, which usually presents with a long clinical history and high variability in clinical manifestations and prognosis, is difficul t to manage with any of the available therapeutic options. The difficulties and controversies regarding the diagnostic and therapeutic management of t hese patients are addressed in an updated review of the literature and exem plified in our case report.