Orbital Sarcoid-Like Granulomatosis After Inhibition of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α

Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2016 Mar-Apr;32(2):e30-2. doi: 10.1097/IOP.0000000000000200.

Abstract

Pharmacologic inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) has been used in the management of a variety of inflammatory conditions. Recently, reports on the development of sarcoid-like granulomatous disease at multiple systemic sites after treatment with TNF-α inhibitors have emerged, although, to the authors' knowledge, orbital manifestations of this problem have not been previously described. A 48-year-old woman who received injections of adalimumab for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis developed right-sided orbital pain and inflammation. Orbital biopsy of a focal lesion demonstrated sarcoid-like granulomatosis, and a workup for other causes of this problem was noncontributory. This report represents the first documented case of this phenomenon in the orbit, and possible mechanisms are discussed in this presentation. Given the expanding role of TNF-α inhibitors and the increased frequency of their use, clinicians should be aware of this possible side effect.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adalimumab / adverse effects*
  • Administration, Oral
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / adverse effects*
  • Arthritis, Psoriatic / drug therapy
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Eye Pain / etiology
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Granuloma / chemically induced*
  • Granuloma / diagnosis
  • Granuloma / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Orbital Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Orbital Diseases / diagnosis
  • Orbital Diseases / drug therapy
  • Prednisone / administration & dosage
  • Sarcoidosis / chemically induced*
  • Sarcoidosis / diagnosis
  • Sarcoidosis / drug therapy
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Adalimumab
  • Prednisone
  • Methotrexate