Is Tolosa-Hunt syndrome a limited form of Wegener's granulomatosis? Report of two cases with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies

Abstract

Two patients with recurrent painful ophthalmoplegia due to granulomatous involvement of the intracavernous sinus (Tolosa-Hunt syndrome) had circulating anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies with a granular cytoplasmic immunofluorescence pattern during a flare-up of the disease. The presence of these antibodies suggests that Tolosa-Hunt syndrome might be regarded as a localized form of Wegener's granulomatosis.