[Relapsing ophthalmoplegia as a presenting symptom of orbital myositis].
BACKGROUND
We report a case of orbital myositis revealed by a relapsing and initially painless ophthalmoplegia.


METHODS
A 50-year-old patient suddenly presented with an isolated palsy of the right lateral rectus muscle which recovered in 3 weeks after a short-lasting corticosteroid therapy but relapsed. Cerebral and orbital imaging were normal. Orbital pain with a fluctuating course occurred 6 months later. Two years after the clinical onset, orbital CT scan revealed a fusiform hypertrophy of the right lateral rectus muscle which was enhanced by contrast. After corticosteroid treatment, the symptoms improved and CT scan became normal.


CONCLUSIONS
Orbital myositis may not be ruled out in case of painless ophthalmoplegia and systematic and repeated imaging is necessary.
Pagès
M
M
Consultation des maladies neuromusculaires, Neurologie A, Centre Gui de Chauliac, 34295 Montpellier. m-pages@chu-montpellier.fr
Malanda
G
G
Mayembo
M A
MA
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D009886:Ophthalmoplegia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D016727:Orbital Pseudotumor / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D012008:Recurrence; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones