Frozen overnight: Acute orbital apex syndrome caused by aspergillosis. Issue 3 (May 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pellegrini, Francesco; Mandarà, Erika; Stafa, Altin; Meli, Salvatore
• Is Part Of: European journal of ophthalmology. Volume 33:Issue 3(2023)
• Page Start: NP45
• Page End: NP48
• Publication Date: 2023-05
• Subjects: aspergillosis -- tolosa-hunt syndrome -- orbital apex syndrome -- ophthalmoplegia; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; Eye -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 617.7005
• DOI: 10.1177/11206721211073447
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1120-6721

Abstract

Purpose: to describe a rare case of orbital apex syndrome caused by aspergillosis with acute presentation. Case description: retrospective case report of a 70-year-old man who developed unilateral ophthalmoplegia overnight. He was initially given the diagnosis of suspect Tolosa-Hunt syndrome, but biopsy of the involved tissue showed aspergillosis. Conclusion: orbital apex syndrome caused by fungal disease is a life-threatening condition that should be promptly diagnosed and treated. It may present acutely and should not be misdiagnosed as Tolosa-Hunt syndrome. To our knowledge this is the first such case report in the English ophthalmic language Literature.