title: Periocular dirofilariasis: A case series.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To cite a series of patients presenting with complaints of a lid swelling associated with preseptal cellulitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three patients on three different occasions came with complaints of a unilateral lid swelling associated with preseptal cellulitis. Examination showed palpable mass in the upper eyelid localized, firm in consistency and was freely mobile and occasionally disappeared during palpation. CT scan showed nonspecific preseptal inflammation. A trial of antibiotics was given in each of the cases with temporary reduction in the swelling but a consecutive flare up following which patient was subjected to excision biopsy. Each of the biopsies was subjected to histopathological and microbiological examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On excision biopsy in all the three cases it was reported to be a parasitic infestation belonging to the genus Dirofilaria.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dirofilariaiasis is a common zoonotic infection among wild animals but rarely infects human beings with ocular involvement. Hence dirofilariasis should be considered as a differential diagnosis for migratory subcutaneous swellings and conjunctival nodules in the southern belt of India.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology , Faller Muller Medical College Hospital , Kankanady , Mangalore , India.
authors.forename: Sunayana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhat
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology , Faller Muller Medical College Hospital , Kankanady , Mangalore , India.
authors.forename: May
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saldanha
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology , Faller Muller Medical College Hospital , Kankanady , Mangalore , India.
authors.forename: Norman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mendonca
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004182:Dirofilaria; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000628:therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000628:therapy; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D054517:Orbital Cellulitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000628:therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Conjuctival nodule; Dirofilaria; Southern India; lid swelling; preseptal cellulitis