Idiopathic orbital myositis

Introduction. - Orbital myositis is a subtype of nonspecific orbital inflam mation confined to one or more of the extraocular muscles. Exegesis. - Three female patients presented presumed orbital myositis, in e ach of whom the diagnosis was suspected clinically and confirmed by the com puted tomography (CT) scan appearances. All presented with orbital pain, di plopia and periorbital edema. All patients responded to systemic corticoste roid with prompt resolution of symptoms and signs, but one patient had recu rrent episodes of myositis, leading to the prescription of azathioprine. Th e clinical and radiological constellation of findings allowing a definitive diagnosis of the nonspecific orbital inflammatory syndrome in most cases i s discussed. Conclusion, - The nonspecific orbital inflammatory syndromes are a heteroge nous group of conditions and the CT scan is a valuable tool in differentiat ing these conditions. Most cases of idiopathic orbital myositis require cor ticosteroids, but therapeutic alternatives to corticosteroids in refractory diseases are warranted. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsev ier SAS.