Differential diagnosis of Graves’ orbitopathy and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the orbit: a case report
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to report, how Non- Hodgkin's lymphoma of the orbits can be easily confuse d with othe r diseases of the eye, causing difficultie s in diagnosis and leading to delayed initiation of treatme nt. A clinical case of a patie nt with bilateral orbital lymphoma with a predominant lesion of the extraocular muscles, occurring unde r the guise of Graves' orbitopathy is prese nte d.
Methods: this study include d ante rior segment assessment using a slit lamp, fundus examination, autore fractome try, exophthalmome try. For the final diagnosis, an orbitotomy was performed with a biopsy of the affe cted levator and surrounding tissues.
Results: Histological and immunohistoche mical studies confirme d the diagnosis of MALT lymphoma in both orbits. The patie nt received anticancer treatment and has been in remission for a year.
Conclusion: bilateral non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the orbits is rare, may pretend to be Graves' orbitopathy and be the cause of inade quate treatme nt. In such cases, a biopsy of the affe cted extraocular muscles is required to clarify the diagnosis and determine the morphological subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
