Debulking Surgery Combined with Low-Dose Oral Prednisolone and Azathioprine for Intractable IgG4-Related Orbital Disease: A Case Report

Abstract

A case of intractable IgG4-related orbital disease (IgG4-ROD) was successfully treated by debulking surgery combined with low-dose prednisolone and azathioprine as maintenance therapy. A 64-year-old man visited our clinic with progressive bilateral upper eyelid swelling and right eye fullness of a year’s duration. He was previously treated with systemic corticosteroids for the IgG4-ROD and experienced a partial clinical response but relapsed upon prednisolone cessation. The patient underwent debulking surgery of the right lacrimal gland and right upper eyelid. His post-operative medication was oral prednisolone (5 mg) every other day and 50 mg azathioprine per day. The patient’s right eye remained asymptomatic during the 18 months of follow-up. Debulking surgery combined with low-dose prednisolone and azathioprine, as a maintenance therapy, is an effective and alternative treatment for the long-term control of intractable IgG4-ROD.