Orbital cysticercosis.
BACKGROUND
Human cysticercosis is secondary to an infestation by cysticercus cellulosae, the larval form of Taenia solium. Cysticercosis is endemic to regions with poor sanitation. The purpose of this report is to present a large series of patients with orbital cysticercosis and to discuss the current treatment.


METHODS
A retrospective chart analysis of all patients with orbital cysticercosis from an urban practice in southern India was performed. The clinical features, the results of investigations, the therapies instituted, and the outcomes realized were recorded.


RESULTS
Twenty patients diagnosed with orbital cysticercosis were identified (11 female and 9 male). Their ages ranged from 5 to 25 years with a mean age of 12.5 years. Nine patients manifested subconjunctival cysts. Eight were excised and 5 of these were densely adherent to the adjacent extraocular muscle (EOM). The remaining 11 patients had a cyst in a single EOM. The EOM cysts had proptosis, restricted motility, recurrent inflammation, and blepharoptosis. Two of the EOM cysts were excised surgically and four extruded spontaneously. Six patients with EOM cysts were treated medically: they all received oral corticosteroids and, additionally, five were given oral albendazole and one was given oral praziquantel.


CONCLUSIONS
Excisional biopsy is recommended for subconjunctival cysticercosis. Idiopathic cystic myositis can present like EOM cysticercosis, but is differentiated by resolution with corticosteroid treatment. Medical therapy in orbital cysticercosis with oral albendazole and corticosteroids can arrest recurrent inflammation and improve ocular motility.
Sekhar
G C
GC
Oculoplastic and Orbital Disease Service, L. V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.
Lemke
B N
BN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D003551:Cysticercosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D003560:Cysts / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009220:Myositis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013621:Taenia / Q000302:isolation & purification
D000871:Anthelmintics; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011223:Praziquantel; D015766:Albendazole; D011241:Prednisone