Allergic reaction to hyaluronidase: a rare cause of orbital inflammation after cataract surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to present a series of patients with acute orbital inflammatory symptoms secondary to peribulbar hyaluronidase allergy and to discuss the diagnostic and management modalities.


METHODS
Review of clinical records of all patients with acute orbital inflammatory symptoms after uneventful cataract surgery, seen at two ophthalmology departments. The main outcome measures included clinical signs and symptoms, imaging findings, post-operative course, skin allergy testing, and final outcome.


RESULTS
There were five patients (four women, one man) with a mean age of 78+/-7.0 years. Signs and symptoms appeared 12-72 h after cataract surgery and included axial proptosis, periorbital erythema with swelling, and extraocular muscle (EOM) function restriction (5/5), periorbital pain or itchiness (3/5), and conjunctival chemosis (4/5). Computerized tomography showed increased orbital fat haziness and enlargement of EOM. Treatment with a combination of oral antibiotics and steroids or antihistamines resulted in resolution of signs and symptoms after 3-5 days. Intradermal and/or skin prick allergy tests were positive for hyaluronidase and negative for all other perioperative medications used.


CONCLUSIONS
Although uncommon, allergy to peribulbar hyaluronidase injected during cataract surgery should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients who present with acute post-operative orbital signs and symptoms.
Leibovitch
Igal
I
Oculoplastic & Orbital Division, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Royal Adelaide Hospital, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia. leiboigal5@yahoo.com.au
Tamblyn
David
D
Casson
Robert
R
Selva
Dinesh
D
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004890:Erythema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase