EXOPHTHALMOS DUE TO CHRONIC ORBITAL MYOSITIS

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is threefold : first, to call attention to a comparatively rare type of chronic inflammation of the extraocular muscles known as idiopathic or primary chronic orbital myositis ; second, to suggest a simple test for its detection, and, third, to report 4 cases studied at the Institute of Ophthalmology, Presbyterian Hospital, New York. By way of introduction it may be stated that chronic inflammatory or degenerative changes in the extraocular muscles have been reported in the following conditions: (1) syphilis of the orbit; (2) tuberculosis of the orbit; (3) myasthenia gravis, muscular dystrophies and degenerative myositis of fatty, amyloid, vascular or traumatic origin; (4) exophthalmic goiter, before and after thyroidectomy, and (5) apparent good health (idiopathic form). Because of the rarity of syphilitic and of tuberculous orbital myositis and the ease with which the correct diagnosis can usually be made, no attempt will be made to discuss