Tacrolimus for Treating Orbital and Cranial Form of Idiopathic Inflammatory Pseudotumors

Background and Purpose Orbital and cranial form of idiopathic inflammatory pseudotumors (IIPs) are rare disorders with heterogeneous clinical presentations. Corticosteroids have been the first-line treatment for IIPs, but they are not always effective. Methods We reviewed the medical records of three patients with orbital or cranial form of IIP who were treated with tacrolimus as an adjuvant treatment. Results The three patients showed favorable outcomes with the addition of tacrolimus, which is a calcineurin inhibitor that inhibits T-cell activation and T-cell-dependent B-cell activation. Conclusions Tacrolimus may be a safe and effective immunosuppressant for refractory or relapsing form of orbital or cranial IIPs.