Periocular dirofilariasis: A case series

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.