Another Case of Bisphosphonate-Induced Orbital Inflammation

Medication-associated orbital inflammation: A systematic review

We performed a comprehensive systematic review to identify medication-associated orbital inflammation and to characterize its clinico-radiological features. We reviewed English-language articles describing medication-associated orbital inflammation (i.e., orbital myositis, dacryoadenitis and orbital fat) published to June, 2023. Isolated inflammation of the intraocular structures or globe alone (i.e. uveitis, scleritis, optic neuritis and perineuritis) were excluded. In medication-associated orbital inflammation, the extraocular muscles are preferentially affected, occurring in isolation or in combination with other orbital and/or intraocular structures. Clinico-radiological manifestations may be non-specific; however, certain medications may be distinguished according to the presence of systemic prodrome, laterality, associated intraocular inflammation, and predisposition to involve certain orbital structures. Rapid identification, discontinuation of the provoking medication, and systemic corticosteroid therapy (if appropriate) typically achieves a favorable visual prognosis. As new medications become adopted by clinicians, rare adverse effects will be further delineated.Medication-associated orbital inflammation is an important diagnostic consideration in orbital inflammatory disease. A careful medication history and clinical assessment may be revealing, permitting timely discontinuation of the offending agent and initiation of appropriate management.

Acute Iridocyclitis Associated With Intravenous Zoledronic Acid: A Case Report

Bisphosphonates are widely used drugs for the management of osteoporosis. Intravenous (IV) zoledronic acid (ZA) is frequently prescribed in cases of oral bisphosphonate intolerance or non-compliance. Well-known immediate ZA side effects include flu-like symptoms such as nausea, myalgias, bone and joint pains, and fever. Here we report a case of a rare side effect of acute anterior uveitis following initial dosing of ZA in a 71-year-old female with osteoporosis who had been vitamin D deficient a couple of months earlier. She presented with headache, bilateral eye redness, and pain post ZA infusion. Findings of diffuse conjunctival injection, and flare with cells in the anterior chamber were suggestive of anterior uveitis. Her symptoms resolved with prednisolone eye drops in three weeks. Ocular inflammation is a rare but serious side effect of this commonly administered drug. Optimizing vitamin D levels prior to treatment may help to prevent this condition. Clinicians should be aware of the rare occurrence of post-ZA ocular inflammation. Early recognition and prompt treatment are essential.

Ocular Side Effects of Bisphosphonates: A Review of Literature

In rare cases, bisphosphonates are well established to cause ocular inflammation, presenting as uveitis, episcleritis, scleritis, orbital inflammation, and/or conjunctivitis. Some reports of bisphosphonate-associated neuro-ophthalmic complications also exist. We identified 101 reports in the literature relating to bisphosphonate-associated ocular complications. In a great majority of cases, symptoms resolve after discontinuation of the drug and anti-inflammatory treatment. Many cases recur if rechallenged with the same bisphosphonate. First-generation nonamino bisphosphonates, including clodronate and etidronate, are not associated with ocular inflammation. Only 2nd- and 3rd-generation amino bisphosphonates, including pamidronate, alendronate, risedronate, ibandronate, and zoledronate are associated with these complications. The mechanism of bisphosphonate-induced ocular inflammation may be related to activation of γ/δ T cells or M1 macrophages. Intravenous forms, such as pamidronate and zoledronate, tend to have higher rates and faster onset of ocular inflammation, generally presenting within days of infusion. In oral bisphosphonates, such as alendronate and risedronate, these complications present with more sporadic timing. Rates of complications are also higher when bisphosphonates are used for malignancy, as doses tend to be higher compared with doses for osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis, bisphosphonates, and ocular inflammation

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis, as a musculoskeletal disease, is very common, especially in the era of aging society. It is described by a reduction in bone strength and increased risk of fractures, which are linked to considerable morbidity, mortality, and high healthcare burdens. Bisphosphonates are the most commonly used drugs to manage osteoporosis and they consequently reduce fracture risk. However, one of the clinical challenges is fear of side effects in patients who are using bisphosphonates as the administration of these drugs is lengthy. Ocular inflammation has been reporting as one of the potential vision-threatening side effects of bisphosphonates.

PURPOSE

To review previously reported ocular inflammation in patients taking bisphosphonates.

METHOD

A literature survey was conducted using databases in order to collect data for a narrative review of published reports regarding ocular side effects of bisphosphonates.

RESULTS

People taking bisphosphonates were at a relatively low risk of ocular inflammation, with the onset from a few hours after exposure up to more than 3 years. The release of inflammatory mediators mainly by activated gamma delta T cells in response to bisphosphonates was the main cause of ocular inflammation.

CONCLUSION

Strategies for treating patients with osteoporosis should consider the potential ocular side effects of bisphosphonates. Ocular inflammation, as one of the side effects of bisphosphonates, is a serious sight-threatening sign and should be taken seriously. Greater awareness of the association between bisphosphonate use and ocular inflammation may allow for earlier identification and timely treatment of future cases.

Aminobisphosphonate-associated orbital and ocular inflammatory disease

PURPOSE

Aminobisphosphonates may cause orbital/ocular inflammation. Awareness of the clinical presentation and disease course is crucial. The purpose of this study was to analyse demographics, clinical presentation, disease course and treatment of aminobisphosphonate-associated orbital/ocular inflammation in a large series of patients.

METHODS

A retrospective study of patients with aminobisphosphonate-associated orbital/ocular inflammation and a literature review to differentiate disease presentation and course between various aminobisphosphonates.

RESULTS

Eight patients from our institution (6 women and 2 men, median age 62 years) were included. The used drugs were zoledronate, alendronate and risedronate. The most common clinical presentation was conjunctival hyperaemia/chemosis. Scleritis was the most common manifestation, followed by diffuse orbital inflammation and anterior uveitis. Ultrasound aided in diagnosis in all our patients. The aminobisphosphonate was halted in all patients, and some patients had anti-inflammatory treatment. Literature review included 68 patients (83 eyes), of them the most abundant drugs causing orbital/ocular inflammation were pamidronate (38 eyes) and zoledronate (35 eyes). Overall, among 76 patients, all drugs induced orbital disease, while uveitis was induced mostly by zoledronate and pamidronate, less by alendronate and not found among risedronate users. Time interval from drug administration to symptoms was hours to 28 days. Resolution was achieved in all patients, after 1-60 days from disease presentation, and the longer resolution period was found among alendronate users.

CONCLUSION

Orbital/ocular inflammation was mostly caused by intravenous aminobisphosphonates. Uveitis was not induced by risedronate. The putative aminobisphosphonate should be halted at the onset of orbital/ocular involvement and prognosis is favourable.

Bisphosphonate-induced orbital inflammation: more common than once thought?

To report two cases of bisphosphonate-induced orbital inflammation, discuss the clinic-radiological features and management options, and highlight the increasing frequency of an association previously considered extremely rare. A retrospective review of two cases presenting to our department, and review of the literature reporting this association. Two new cases of bisphosphonate-induced orbital inflammation were added to the literature. The first occurred in the context of a risedronate re-challenge, and the second with zoledronic acid. Both cases were managed successfully with topical steroids. Clinicians prescribing bisphosphonates, particularly for the first time, should be aware of the increasingly reported association with orbital inflammation. The presence of suggestive clinical features should prompt urgent referral to an ophthalmologist for appropriate management.

Zoledronic acid-induced orbital inflammation in a patient with multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of malignant plasma cells which stimulates osteoclasts and is associated with increased bone turnover and osteolysis. Bisphosphonates including zolendronic acid are used to prevent skeletal complications in patients with multiple myeloma. Orbital inflammation is a rare but serious complication following use of bisphosphonates. The diagnosis is made by excluding other possible causes in patients with myeloma and rapid initiation of therapy is required. Corticosteroids are the mainstay of therapy but the ideal treatment course has not been delineated. This report describes a case of this rare complication and provides a review of the literature.

Diffuse ocular and orbital inflammation after zoledronate infusion-case report and review of the literature

Bisphosphonates have become a commonly used class of medications to treat osteoporosis and other bone diseases. Zoledronate (zoledronic acid) can be dosed annually via intravenous infusion, making it an appealing option for patients and physicians. We report the case of a 68-year-old woman who developed severe, unilateral, ocular inflammation, including corneal endotheliitis, anterior uveitis with hyphema, scleritis, and orbital inflammation beginning 12 hours after receiving her first zoledronate infusion. Symptoms escalated but ultimately resolved with topical steroids and high-dose systemic corticosteroids. To our knowledge, this is the first report of unilateral diffuse inflammation of the eye and orbit, including corneal inflammation developing within 12 hours of a first zoledronate infusion.

Acute bilateral uveitis and right macular edema induced by a single infusion of zoledronic acid for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis as a substitution for oral alendronate: a case report

BACKGROUND

Zoledronic acid-induced uveitis (ZAIU) is rare but severe, and has been recently considered part of an acute phase reaction. Only 15 cases have been reported since 2005. Here we describe a case with macular edema, which is the first reported case observed after long-term alendronate tolerance.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 63-year-old Asian woman received her first intravenous zoledronic acid treatment for the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis as a more convenient substitute for oral alendronate. Twenty-four hours later, bilateral eye irritations, periorbital swelling, blurred vision, and diplopia presented. The complete blood count and transaminase levels were normal, but the erythrocytic sedimentation, C-reactive protein, and serum C4 levels were elevated. On detailed ophthalmological examination, a diagnosis of bilateral acute uveitis and macular edema in the right eye was made. The ocular symptoms were not improved until administration of topical and oral steroids. Complete resolution was achieved. There was no rechallenge of bisphosphonates, and no recurrence at 6 months follow-up. Based on an extensive review, abnormal fundus is rarely reported, especially in cases of macular edema. Rechallenge with zoledronic acid in five cases induced no additional uveitis, and changing the medication to pamidronate in another patient was also tolerated. Interestingly, our patient suffered from uveitis soon after intravenous zoledronate exposure after a two-year tolerance to oral alendronate.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report of zoledronic acid induced uveitis with macular edema after long-term alendronate tolerance. Prior oral alendronate may not entirely prevent ZAIU. Steroids are usually necessary in the treatment of ZAIU. Bisphosphonate rechallenge is not fully contraindicated, and prior steroid administration may be a more reasonable treatment choice according to the available evidence.

Bisphosphonate-Induced Orbital Inflammation: A Case Series and Review

INTRODUCTION

To present a series of patients with bisphosphonate induced orbital inflammation, and to review the clinical presentation, radiological features, treatment options and outcomes.

METHODS

We present a multicentre, retrospective case series review of patients with a clinico-radiological diagnosis of bisphosphonate induced orbital inflammation and review all the reported cases of this complication in the literature.

RESULTS

Four new patients with bisphosphonate induced orbital inflammation were added to the 25 cases in the literature. Intravenous zoledronate was the commonest precipitant (22/29, 75.9%) and inflammation occurred 1-28 (mean 3) days post-infusion. Orbital imaging identified orbital inflammation in 22/29 cases and extra-ocular muscle enlargement in 8/29. Five patients presented with reduced vision of which one - with anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy - did not resolve. The vision resolved in all except one patient, with most requiring steroid treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Bisphosphonates have a pro-inflammatory effect, which can precipitate orbital inflammation. This rare, but potentially serious complication of bisphosphonate treatment should be considered by clinicians using bisphosphonate treatment and by ophthalmologists seeing patients with orbital inflammatory disease.

A Case Series and Review of Bisphosphonate-associated Orbital Inflammation

PURPOSE

To report the largest series of new cases to date of bisphosphate-associated orbital inflammation.

METHODS

A retrospective case review of patients with orbital inflammation following treatment with systemic bisphosphonate.

RESULTS

Six patients over an 18-month period (2 males, 4 females) with an average age of 62.2 years had onset of orbital inflammatory symptoms 1-11 days after intravenous bisphosphonate infusion or, in 1 case, 4 weeks after initiation of oral bisphosphonate therapy. Imaging revealed diffuse orbital involvement in 3 cases, isolated lateral rectus muscle involvement in 2 cases, and superior rectus-levator involvement in 1 case. Two patients' symptoms resolved spontaneously within 2 weeks, and 3 responded rapidly and completely to corticosteroid therapy. The 1 patient on oral bisphosphonate had a slower but complete response to corticosteroid treatment.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians should be aware of the association between acute orbital inflammation and recent treatment with systemic bisphosphonate medication.

Inflammatory eye reactions in patients treated with bisphosphonates and other osteoporosis medications: cohort analysis using a national prescription database

Ocular inflammatory reactions have been described in patients on bisphosphonate treatment. We estimated the incidence rate of ocular inflammation at 3 and 12 months in patients treated for osteoporosis using a register-based cohort linked to prescription data (hospitals and private practice) and hospital data. From January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2007, a total of 88,202 patients beginning osteoporosis therapy were identified. Of those patients, 82,404 (93%) began oral bisphosphonates and 5798 (7%) nonbisphosphonates. Within the first year of treatment, 4769 (5.4%) of patients on osteoporosis therapy filled one or more prescriptions for topical eye steroids (TES). TES treatment rates (per 1000 patient-years) in the first year of osteoporosis treatment were 44 (95% confidence interval [CI] 42 to 46) for alendronate, 40 (95% CI 38 to 43) for etidronate, 45 (95% CI 35 to 57) for risedronate, 32 (95% CI 27 to 37) for raloxifene, and 64 (95% CI 49 to 83) for strontium ranelate. After adjustment for age, Charlson index, and the number of comedications, pulmonary disease in men was associated with an increased use of TES (odds ratio [OR] = 1.48; 95% CI 1.17 to 1.86; p = 0.001). In women, malignant disease (OR = 1.27; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.60; p = 0.04) and pulmonary disease (OR = 1.32; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.62; p = 0.01) were significant predictors at 3 months and rheumatic diseases at 12 months (OR = 1.20; 95% CI 1.10 to 1.31; p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the different drug classes (bisphosphonates versus nonbisphosphonates, alendronate versus nonalendronate-bisphosphonates) for risk of ocular inflammation, with age and the number of comedications being the only significant predictors. Hospital-treated uveitis (48 patients, or 0.05%) showed a similar trend. In conclusion, after initiation of treatment for osteoporosis, the risk of inflammatory eye reactions requiring TES is relatively low and not significantly different between bisphosphonate and nonbisphosphonate users. Patients with a rheumatic or pulmonary disease are at increased risk.

Bisphosphonate-associated orbital inflammation--a case report and review

Bisphosphonates are becoming more widespread as indications for them broaden. Several ocular side effects due to bisphosphonates have been described, among the most potentially serious of which is orbital inflammation. Thirteen case reports of this side effect exist in the literature, with an additional case reported here. The most common presenting signs are lid edema, conjunctival hyperemia, and chemosis, while common symptomatology includes pain, diplopia, and blurry vision. A concomitant anterior uveitis is present in 30% of cases, and some degree of bilaterality is also seen in 30% of cases. There are two reported instances of profound visual loss, highlighting the importance of prompt recognition and treatment of this entity. Despite a paucity of rechallenge data, available reports suggest that development of orbital inflammation does not necessarily exclude patients from future bisphosphonate use.

Update in pathological diagnosis of orbital infections and inflammations

Orbital infections and inflammations include a broad spectrum of orbital diseases that can be idiopathic, infectious, from primary or secondary inflammatory processes. Being able to properly diagnose and manage these orbital diseases in a timely manner can avoid permanent vision loss and possibly save a patient's life. When clinicians are faced with such patients, quite often the exact diagnosis cannot be made just based on clinical examination, various laboratory tests and imaging are needed. Moreover, orbital biopsies with histopathological analyses are often required, especially for the atypical cases. Thus, it is important for the clinicians to be familiar with the pathological features and characteristics of these orbital diseases. This review provides a comprehensive update on the clinical and pathological diagnosis of these orbital infections and inflammations.