Bilateral orbital metastases from lobular breast carcinoma mimicking an orbital inflammatory process

Abstract

We report a case of synchronous bilateral orbital metastases from primary lobular breast cancer with the radiographic imaging features of a diffuse orbital soft tissue inflammatory process. A 77-year-old lady with a history of lobular breast cancer and bilateral quadrantectomy 15 years earlier was referred to our Ocular Oncology Unit. She complained about double vision and ocular pain. Through an ophthalmological examination, she presented significant bilateral proptosis and complete ophthalmoplegia. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a diffuse soft tissue infiltration of both orbits with mild T2w fat-sat hyperintensity and T1-isointensity relative to extra-ocular muscles and a diffuse involvement of both the intra- and extra-conal compartments. Significant enlargement of the extraocular muscles without sparing the muscle tendons and eyelids soft tissue swelling were also evident. Post-contrast images showed a diffuse and bilateral contrast enhancement of the involved tissues. Due to the inconclusive imaging findings, a bilateral orbital incisional biopsy was planned. The histopathological and immunohistochemical diagnosis was of lobular breast carcinoma and the patient underwent external beam radiotherapy with consistent clinical improvement. In conclusion, post-menopausal women presenting with a history of breast carcinoma and clinical and radiographic findings suggestive of acute bilateral orbital inflammatory disease should be biopsied to rule out metastatic disease even several years from the primary tumour.

Keywords

• Orbital metastasis
• Orbital metastasis breast carcinoma
• Extraocular muscles enlargement
• Magnetic resonance imaging
• Inflammatory orbital disease