Erdheim-Chester Disease With Eyelid and Orbital Involvement: A Review of Treatment Modalities at One Institution From 2014 to 2022

Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2024 Sep-Oct;40(5):497-503. doi: 10.1097/IOP.0000000000002619. Epub 2024 Sep 5.

Abstract

Purpose: To review all cases of Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) with orbital involvement treated at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida from 2014 to 2022 and compare presentations, treatment modalities, and outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of all patients diagnosed with ECD who presented to Bascom Palmer Eye Institute from 2014 to 2022 was performed. Data collected included demographics, pretreatment history and ophthalmic examination, pathology report, treatment, subsequent examination, and relevant laboratory results. Histopathology, treatments, and outcomes were reviewed and compared between patients.

Results: Four cases were included. Primary treatments included vemurafenib (n = 2), cobimetinib (n = 1), and prednisone (n = 1). All patients demonstrated improvement of ophthalmic symptoms. Vemurafenib was the only medical treatment that was tolerated well and resulted in significant improvement in proptosis despite some reported dry eye; all other medications were discontinued due to intolerable side effects.

Conclusions: BRAF inhibitors such as vemurafenib have been used as novel therapy in the treatment of ECD. Vemurafenib demonstrated its utility in reducing proptosis in ECD patients at one ophthalmic institution. Vemurafenib may be a favorable treatment option for BRAF -positive ECD patients presenting with orbital disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Azetidines / therapeutic use
  • Erdheim-Chester Disease* / complications
  • Erdheim-Chester Disease* / diagnosis
  • Erdheim-Chester Disease* / drug therapy
  • Eyelid Diseases / diagnosis
  • Eyelid Diseases / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Orbital Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Orbital Diseases* / drug therapy
  • Piperidines / therapeutic use
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Vemurafenib* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Vemurafenib
  • cobimetinib
  • Azetidines
  • Piperidines
  • Prednisone
  • Glucocorticoids