[Ophthalmomyiasis as a cause of canalicular lesion].
OBJECTIVE
Myiasis is the invasion of human tissues by Diptera larvae. Ocular involvement is uncommon. Trauma is the major cause of lacrimal apparatus lesions. However, it is rarely associated with parasitic infestation. The objective of this paper is to report a case of canalicular laceration caused by Dermatobia hominis larva.


METHODS
An eight-year-old girl presented preseptal cellulitis that was refractive to antibiotics. A Dermatobia hominis larva was observed inside the lacrimal sac. Surgical extraction was performed and laceration of the lacrimal drainage system was noted.


CONCLUSIONS
Parasitic infection of the lacrimal apparatus is rare. Surgical extraction is the treatment of choice in such cases. Despite being uncommon, ophthalmomyiasis should be considered as a possible diagnosis when cellulitis is not responsive to antibiotics, especially in endemic areas. This is the first description of lacrimal drainage system injury by Dermatobia hominis larva.
Saraiva
Fabio P
FP
Clínica Oftalmológica, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP. fabiopetersen@bol.com.br
Fernandes
José B V D
JB
Tomikawa
Vivian O
VO
Costa
Patrícia G
PG
Matayoshi
Suzana
S
D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D004175:Diptera; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000293:injuries / Q000469:parasitology*; D007814:Larva; D009198:Myiasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery