# A Rare Presentation of a Periorbital Herpes Simplex Virus Pseudotumor in an Immunocompromised Patient

## TL;DR

This case report describes a rare HSV infection in an HIV patient that appeared as a pseudotumor near the eye, highlighting diagnostic challenges.

## Contribution

The report presents a rare clinical case of HSV-induced periorbital pseudotumor in an immunocompromised patient.

## Key findings

- HSV can present as a pseudotumor, mimicking cancerous growths in immunocompromised individuals.
- Diagnosis of HSV pseudotumors can be challenging due to their atypical appearance.

## Abstract

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) frequently affects the ocular and genital regions, especially in immunocompromised individuals. On rare occasions, HSV infections can present as pseudotumors. These pseudotumors may mimic cancerous growths, condylomas, or hypertrophic lesions rather than the characteristic small ulcerations. The development of pseudotumors due to HSV is particularly uncommon, especially in the facial region. This atypical presentation poses significant diagnostic challenges and may potentially lead to erroneous identification as a cancerous growth. This case report details a 53-year-old African American man with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (noncompliant with antiretroviral therapy) presenting with a purulent ocular pseudotumor secondary to HSV infection, along with a review of the literature surrounding HSV pseudotumors.