title: Primary orbital hydatid cyst in an elderly patient.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Orbital hydatidosis is rare, accounting for only 1% of all hydatid cysts. Herein we report a case and review the sparse literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report and review of pertinent literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A 74-year-old farmer presented with progressive proptosis and loss of vision of the left eye. Evaluation revealed a hydatid cyst of the orbit. Orbital hydatidosis is usually unilateral and unaccompanied by cysts elsewhere in the body. Most affected are children and young adults. Although there is no gender predominance, orbital hydatidosis may affect the left eye preferentially. Onset is usually insidious over several months. Serologic testing is unreliable, and imaging by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is now standard. Surgical resection is curative, but albendazole must be administered postoperatively if there is spillage intraoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hydatid cysts should be included in the differential diagnosis of unilateral proptosis in patients from regions where echinococcosis is endemic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, La Rabta Hospital, Bab Saâdoun, Tunis, Tunisia. fatenlimaiem@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Faten
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Limaiem
authors.forename: Selma
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bellil
authors.forename: Khadija
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bellil
authors.forename: Inès
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chelly
authors.forename: Amina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mekni
authors.forename: Moncef
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khaldi
authors.forename: Slim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haouet
authors.forename: Nidhameddine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kchir
authors.forename: Moncef
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zitouna
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000383:Agriculture; D015766:Albendazole / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006257:Head / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D015766:Albendazole