Abstract

Background: Isolated orbital myositis of the inferior oblique muscle (IObM) is rare, with few reported cases.

Case Description: A 65-year-old woman was aware of double vision and left dacryorrhea for 2 months. At presentation, the patient showed mild restriction on the downward gaze. In addition, a subcutaneous mass was palpated on the left eyelid. The blood examination showed normal findings. Cranial computed tomography revealed an isodense mass in the left orbit, located in the inferior, inferolateral, and posterior aspects of the bulb. On magnetic resonance imaging, the mass was well-demarcated, appeared isointense on both T1- and T2-weighted imaging, and was intensely enhanced after intravenous infusion of gadolinium. The patient underwent biopsy through lateral orbitotomy. Microscopically, the resected specimen showed sheet-like proliferation of small round nonneoplastic cells. These cells were positively immunostained for both B- and T-lymphocyte markers. Therefore, we diagnosed the patient with isolated idiopathic myositis of the IObM. The patient was managed with steroids, which resulted in a remarkable resolution of her orbital symptoms.

Conclusion: Biopsy findings should be considered when the presentation of orbital myositis is atypical. Lateral orbitotomy may provide a useful surgical window when approaching the posterior belly of the IObM.

Keywords: Biopsy, Inferior oblique muscle, Lateral orbitotomy, Orbital myositis

INTRODUCTION

Myositis is a common orbital disorder that can affect one or more extraocular muscles. It can develop in association with herpes zoster virus infection, Sjögren’s syndrome, Wegener’s granulomatosis, amyloidosis, dabrafenib and trametinib therapy, or H1N1 influenza vaccinations.[ 3 , 4 , 7 , 9 , 10 ] In contrast, idiopathic orbital myositis is thought to be a nonspecific, inflammatory disorder affecting the extraocular muscles.[ 17 ] The histopathological features of idiopathic orbital myositis are consistent with those of idiopathic orbital inflammation and are different from those observed in common differential diagnoses. Therefore, extraocular muscle biopsy is recommended when the presentation of orbital myositis is not typical.[ 2 ]

Among the six extraocular muscles, the superior, lateral, medial, and inferior rectus muscles are frequently affected in orbital myositis, whereas the superior and IObMs are infrequently involved.[ 1 , 3 - 7 , 9 , 10 , 12 - 14 , 16 , 19 ] Isolated myositis of the inferior oblique muscle (IObM) is rare and has been scarcely documented.[ 6 ]

The IObM presents a peculiar anatomy. It arises from the orbital floor, 5.14 ± 1.21 mm posterior to the inferior orbital rim, on a line extending from the infraorbital foramen to 10±0.9 mm inferior to the supraorbital notch that is commonly found along the superomedial orbital rim. The muscle belly of the IObM extends from this origin to its insertion into the posterolateral bulb in an oblique direction.[ 8 ] The anatomy of the IObM and innervating oculomotor branch has been explored using cadaver specimens and magnetic resonance imaging.[ 8 , 11 , 15 , 18 ]

Here, we report a probable case of isolated idiopathic myositis of the IObM that was comfortably biopsied through lateral orbitotomy.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 65-year-old woman was aware of double vision and left dacryorrhea for 2 months. Her medical history was unremarkable and did not include thyroid disorder, autoimmune disease, amyloidosis, and malignant neoplasms. A local ophthalmologist found a left orbital mass and the patient was referred to our department. At presentation, the patient showed mild restriction on the downward gaze. In addition, a subcutaneous mass was palpated on the left eyelid. The mass was 2 × 1.5 cm in dimension, painless, mobile, and elastic hard. Conjunctival hyperemia and proptosis were not observed. The blood examination showed normal findings. Cranial computed tomography revealed a mass in the anterior part of the left orbit. The mass was isodense relative to the extraocular muscles and located in the inferior, inferolateral, and posterior aspects of the bulb [ Figure 1 ]. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the mass was well-demarcated and separate from the inferior rectus muscle, appeared isointense on both T1- and T2-weighted imaging, and was intensely enhanced after intravenous infusion of gadolinium [ Figure 2 ]. Based on these findings, the lesion was thought to represent myositis of the IObM. As the patient was reluctant to have a surgical scar on the lower eyelid, biopsy was performed through lateral orbitotomy. Following retraction of the lateral rectus muscle upward, the posterior part of the bulb and the attaching belly of the IObM were exposed. Next, an oblique direction of the IObM spanning between the orbital floor and posterior bulb was confirmed. The posterolateral part of IObM was biopsied. Microscopically, the resected specimen showed sheet-like proliferation of small round cells, with a high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio. No cell atypia was observed. These cells were positively stained not only for CD20 and CD79a, markers specific for B-lymphocytes, but also for CD3 and CD5, markers specific for T-lymphocytes [ Figure 3 ]. These findings were consistent with those of orbital myositis. The patient was managed by oral administration of prednisone at an initial dose of 30 mg/day, followed by gradual reduction for 2 weeks, which resulted in a remarkable resolution of her orbital symptoms. MRI performed 3 months after surgery showed remarkable regression of the swollen IObM [ Figure 4 ].

Figure 1:

Serial images of noncontrast axial computed tomography scans of the region below the orbital floor (a), at the level of the lower bulb (b), and at the level of the equator of the bulb (c) showing a mass lesion in the anterior part of the left orbit that is isodense relative to the extraocular muscles and located in the inferior (a), inferolateral (b), and posterior (c) aspects of the bulb (arrow). a (inferior)→c (superior).

Figure 2:

Serial images of the axial T1- (a-c) and T2-weighted (d-f) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and postcontrast fat suppression T1-weighted coronal MRI (g-i) showing the left orbital lesion (arrow) that is well-demarcated and separate from the inferior rectus muscle, appearing isointense both on T1- and T2-weighted imaging, and intensely enhanced after intravenous infusion of gadolinium. a (inferior)→c (superior); d (anterior)→f (posterior); g (anterior)→i (posterior).

Figure 3:

Photomicrographs of the resected specimens showing sheet-like proliferation of small round cells with a high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio and lacking findings of atypia (a and b). They are positively stained for CD20 (c) and CD79a (d) markers specific for B-lymphocytes, as well as CD3 (e) and CD5 (f) markers specific for T-lymphocytes. HE: Hematoxylin and eosin stain.

Figure 4:

(a-c) Serial images of coronal T2-weighted MRI performed 3 months after surgery showing a remarkable improvement of the swelling of the inferior oblique muscle (arrow). a (anterior)→c (posterior).

DISCUSSION

In the present case, there was no medical history relevant to orbital myositis with a normal blood profile. On neuroimaging, only the IObM appeared swollen among the six extraocular muscles with intense contrast enhancement. Furthermore, the histopathological findings of the resected specimen were consistent with orbital myositis represented by the proliferation of nonneoplastic B- and T-lymphocytes. The lesion responded well to steroid therapy. Therefore, we finally diagnosed as isolated idiopathic myositis of the IObM. As idiopathic orbital myositis may recur with a high probability, long-term follow-up is necessary after the initial remission.[ 12 , 19 ]

The IObM, located in the anterior part of the orbit, can be accessed from both anterior and lateral aspects. In the anterior aspect, the anterior belly of the IObM can be percutaneously exposed, without creating a bony window. The lateral part of the belly, which is thicker than the medial part and courses separately from the orbital floor, may be a suitable site for safe biopsy [ Figure 5a ]. In contrast, the posterior belly of the IObM can be safely accessed through lateral orbitotomy. In this approach, few essential neurovascular structures are susceptible to injury during maneuvers for IObM biopsy [ Figure 5b ]. The patient underwent lateral orbitotomy because she was reluctant to have a surgical scar on the lower eyelid. With this approach, the posterior belly of the IObM was comfortably exposed and a biopsy was confidently performed. The morphological diversity of IObM bellies and their insertional patterns has been documented.[ 18 ] Detailed knowledge of the IObM is desirable to perform a safe biopsy of the IObM through lateral orbitotomy.

Figure 5:

Cadaver dissections showing specimens of the right orbits viewed from the anterior aspect (a) and through a lateral orbitotomy (b) showing the inferior oblique muscle and relevant structures. IObM: Inferior oblique muscle; IObN: Inferior oblique nerve; IRM: Inferior rectus muscle; LG: Lacrimal gland; LRM: Lateral rectus muscle; Arrows: belly of the inferior oblique muscle. a and b: personal pictures.

CONCLUSION

A muscle biopsy should be considered when the presentation of orbital myositis is atypical. Lateral orbitotomy may provide a useful surgical window when approaching the posterior belly of the IObM.

Declaration of patient consent

The authors certify that they have obtained appropriate patient consent.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

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