Acute recurrent orbital myositis.

An acute relapsing orbital inflammatory disease predominantly affecting the extraocular muscles was seen in two patients and is reported here as acute recurrent orbital myositis. The association of this disorder with other systemic diseases such as asthma, sinusitis, upper respiratory infection, Crohn's disease, and serum sickness is discussed. The similarities to other forms of acute orbital inflammatory disease such as orbital pseudotumor are noted, and a possible underlying immunologic mechanism is suggested.