Idiopathic Orbital Myositis in the Pediatric Age Group: A Rare Cause of Ocular Pain – Case Report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46531/sinapse/CC/193/2026Keywords:
Child, Oculomotor Muscles, Orbital Myositis/diagnostic imaging, Orbital Myositis/drug therapyAbstract
Idiopathic orbital myositis is a rare clinical entity in pediatric age, with its pathophysiology not yet fully understood. Patients typically present with unilateral ocular complaints such as pain aggravated by eye movements, erythema and eyelid edema, chemosis, and conjunctival hyperemia. Magnetic resonance imaging plays a crucial role in identifying the affected muscles. We report the case of a 14-year-old adolescent who presented with right ocular pain, aggravated by eye movements, for one month. Upon suspicion of an inflammatory or infectious process in the right orbital region, magnetic resonance imaging was performed, revealing thickening of the lateral rectus muscle in the right orbit. The diagnosis of idiopathic orbital myositis was established, and treatment with prednisolone was initiated, resulting in complete resolution of the clinical symptoms. The description of this case aims to raise awareness of this condition in the pediatric age group.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Inês Melo, Cláudia Fernandes, Jorge Rodrigues, Lígia M. Ferreira, Filipe Palavra
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