Metastatic Colon Cancer to the Sphenoid Wing and Ethmoid Sinus Mimicking Orbital Cellulitis: A Rare Presentation

Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2017 May/Jun;33(3S Suppl 1):S133-S136. doi: 10.1097/IOP.0000000000000669.

Abstract

Metastatic lesions to the orbit are most commonly seen with breast, lung, and prostate cancer, but are less commonly seen with colon cancer. Furthermore, the presence of metastatic colon cancer involving the sphenoid wing has only been reported once previously. The authors present a case of a 68-year-old woman with right upper and lower eyelid edema and erythema along with decreased vision, relative afferent pupillary defect, limitation of extraocular movements, and chemosis suggestive of orbital cellulitis. Imaging revealed an erosive lesion of the sphenoid wing along with unilateral ethmoid sinusitis. Biopsies taken from both lesions revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma, consistent with colonic primary. The extensive inflammatory component of her disease required life-long high-dose steroids to maintain quiescence and preserve vision.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis
  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary*
  • Aged
  • Biopsy
  • Colonic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Ethmoid Sinus*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Orbital Cellulitis / diagnosis*
  • Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Sphenoid Bone*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed