Otolaryngologists' role in diagnosis and treatment of orbital pseudotumor

Abstract

Patients with pseudotumor of the orbit often present with proptosis, inflammatory changes of the orbital structures, loss of vision, and abnormalities of extraocular motility. Because these signs and symptoms mimic more common disorders of the paranasal sinuses, the otolaryngologist often plays an important role in the diagnosis of this clinical entity. Also, since orbital pseudotumor can be secondary to an inflammatory disease of the paranasal sinuses, appropriate medical and surgical treatment must be rendered by the otolaryngologist. The experience of orbital pseudotumor at Indiana University Medical Center in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery is presented. Appropriate diagnostic workup is discussed, including the importance of the CT scan. The differential diagnosis of space-occupying orbital processes is examined. It is important that the otolaryngologist become more familiar with this clinical entity and its appropriate treatment.