Orbital dirofilariasis.

PURPOSE

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

PATIENTS

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.

CONCLUSION

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.