Bilateral primary orbital xanthogranulomas: A case report and comparison of xanthomatous conditions

This report describes an unusual and diagnostically challenging case of subcutaneous soft tissue xanthogranulomas of bilateral orbits of a 58-year-old female patient seen in a private oculoplastics practice. Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial in xanthogranulomatous diseases so that any systemic manifestations can be identified and addressed in a multidisciplinary fashion. Periorbital xanthogranuloma is a frequent early manifestation of adult xanthogranulomatous disease, and its association with life-threatening systemic disease requires accurate diagnosis and prompt work-up. This case describes an otherwise asymptomatic patient who presented with bilateral orbital masses causing visually significant ptosis, initially diagnosed as soft tissue xanthomas, and later identified as xanthogranulomas. It is important for physicians of all fields, from primary care to surgical subspecialty, to be aware that xanthogranulomatous disease may first present as periorbital lesions and/or orbital masses, and that further work-up for vision and life-threatening systemic disease is warranted.