Successful reconstruction of an ocular defect resulting from granulomatosis with polyangiitis, following treatment with rituximab

Abstract

Purpose: To report a unique case of orbital inflammatory disease which was ultimately diagnosed as granulomatosis with polyangitis (GPA) and thus successfully treated. Observation: A 47 year-old man presented with a rapidly progressive necrotic soft tissue mass within the medial antero-superior aspect of the right eyelid and orbit. He also had transient retinal vasculitis in the left. Serology, histology and imaging were atypical of, but consistent with, GPA. He was thus successfully treated with intravenous rituximab followed by reconstruction of the medial eyelid. Conclusion and importance: A high index of suspicion of GPA is required in orbital inflammatory disease, especially when typical diagnostic findings are absent. Keywords: Orbital inflammatory disease, Rituximab, Eyelid reconstruction, Granulomatosis with polyangiitis