Orbital myositis in systemic lupus erythematosus: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Orbital myositis is a rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Herein, we report a case of orbital myositis in a patient with SLE, along with a literature review. A 45-year-old female patient presented with pain in the right eye, chemosis, proptosis, and limited abduction. Computed tomography of her orbits revealed thickening of her right lateral rectus muscle. She had no other systemic symptoms. There was no elevation in the biomarkers of inflammation or disease activity. She was treated with high-dose steroids, and her symptoms resolved rapidly. It is important to maintain a high index of suspicion for orbital myositis in patients with SLE even when there are no systemic disease activities, such that early treatment can be initiated. It is also important to rule out other mimickers such as orbital cellulitis and thyroid eye disease.

Figure 1

Coronal view of computed tomography (CT) orbits showing thickening of the right lateral rectus muscle and right sided peri-orbital soft tissue with stranding of bordering fat.

Figure 2

Axial view of computed tomography (CT) orbits showing thickening of the right lateral rectus muscle and right sided peri-orbital soft tissue with stranding of bordering fat.