Orbital inflammation and infection versus neoplasia

Abstract

This is a unique chapter which offers clinical differential diagnoses of orbital infections and inflammations which present as space occupying lesions, masquerading benign, and malignant neoplasms in a case-oriented fashion. Different types of idiopathic orbital inflammation (orbital “pseudotumor”) which may be confused with orbital tumors in adults and children is covered in detail. Fungal infections and allergic reactions originating from the nose and paranasal sinuses may also cause difficulty in diagnosis and may be confused with aggressive orbital cancer. Usually a correct diagnosis is made in these types of patients after consideration of the entire compendium of findings, including clinical presentation, pattern of disease evolution, imaging studies, and histopathologic input.