Unusual localization of an hydatid cyst: first reported case in Buenos Aires, Argentina

• Main Authors: Claudia Irene Menghi, Claudia Liliana Gatta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier
• Series: Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases
• Subjects: echinococcosis; orbit; Argentina
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1413-86702011000100015&lng=en&tlng=en

Hydatidosis is a parasitic infection caused by the tapeworm larva of Echinococcus spp. Its relevance lies in its wide distribution, great number of clinical cases and outstanding morbility. Hydatid infection of the orbit comprises far less than 1% of the total incidence. This is a case of a patient from Argentina complaining of a two-week evolution proptosis of the right eye. A microscopic examination revealed the presence of protoscolices of Echinococcus spp. in the fluid obtained during the surgical proceedings. The patient was treated with oral albendazole. To our knowledge, this is the first case of occular hydatidosis diagnosed in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina.