Ocular dirofilariasis mimicking orbital tumors: A case report

    Abstract

    Case report

    Ocular dirofilariasis mimicking orbital tumors: A case report

    D.Z. Khuramshina, O.I. Orenburkina, R.R. Bakiev, A.E. Babushkin

    Russian Center for Eye and Plastic Surger y, Ufa, Russia

    Dirofilariasis (from Latin «ominous thread») is transmissible facultative zoonotic biohelminothosis, caused by thread-like helminth from nematodes of the genus Dirofilaria. Two species are spread throughout Russia – D. repens and D. immitis. Dirofilariasis prevalence increase and expansion of the prevalence area cause ophthalmologists to raise concern over it. The article presents a clinical case report of a female patient, 71, with dirofilariasis masquerading as orbital tumors. The patient underwent transcutaneous orbitotomy and ‘tumor’ resection. The subsequent pathoanatomical examination of the resected conglomerate revealed the presence of helminth, whose fragments were later identified as D. repens in the laboratory of sanitary and epidemiological station. Abnormal clinical picture of dirofilariasis, and its ocular capsular form in particular, determines that the rare disease often mimics various non-parasitic disorders. This circumstance can hinder the diagnosis and delay proper treatment, so it is necessary to raise clinicians’ awareness and alertness about this ocular pathology.

    Key words:: dirofilariasis, orbital tumors, surgical treatment, Dirofilaria repens

    For quoting: Khuramshina D.Z., Orenburkina O.I., Bakiev R.R., Babushkin A.E. Ocular dirofilariasis mimicking orbital tumors: A case report. Point of view. East – West. 2023;4: 59–64.

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.25276/2410-1257-2023-4-59–64

    Corresponding author: Dilara Z. Khuramshina, dilarahuramshina@gmail.com