Orbital dirofilariasis.
OBJECTIVE
To warn the ophthalmologist to consider orbital dirofilariasis in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory masses of the orbit.


METHODS
Two cases with non-specific swelling and pain of the orbit who had a initial diagnosis of "inflammatory pseudotumor of the orbit".


RESULTS
These are two new cases of orbital dirofilariasis.


CONCLUSIONS
In the ophthalmic literature, the highest incidence of ocular dirofilariasis is reported in Italy. Since both these patients had no history of travel in endemic areas of Dirofilaria, this parasitic infection is presumably not rare in Italy and is probably underdiagnosed.
Strianese
D
D
Institute of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Italy.
Martini
A
A
Molfino
G
G
Falabella
L
L
Tranfa
F
F
D000818:Animals; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004182:Dirofilaria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000601:surgery; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D009915:Orbit / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014792:Visual Acuity