Giant Chalazia in the Hyperimmunoglobulinemia E (hyper-IgE) Syndrome

Purpose: To report the occurrence of recurrent multiple giant chalazia in the hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (hyper-IgE syndrome or Job syndrome).

Methods: Two patients with hyperimmunoglobulinemia E (>500 IU/ml) had ophthalmologic examination and surgical treatment for chalazia of the eyelids.

Results: The hyper-IgE syndrome is a rare immunodeficiency and multisystem disorder characterized by recurrent skin and pulmonary abscesses, connective tissue abnormalities, and elevated levels of serum IgE. In two patients with the hyper-IgE syndrome, multiple giant chalazia were seen in upper and lower eyelids. Despite surgical incision new giant chalazia arose.

Conclusions: Recurrent multiple giant chalazia may occur as an ophthalmic feature of the hyper-IgE syndrome. (Eur J Ophthalmol 2004; 14: 258-60).