Hydatid orbital cyst: a case report

Orbital hydatidosis is uncommon, accounting for 1 to 2 % of all localizatio ns. it is caused by Echinococcus granulosis, a dog parasite tapeworm. We re port an intra-orbital hydatid cyst observed in a five-year-old boy, present ing the main features of this unusual localization. Hydatid cyst should be evoked in case of tumorous exophthalmia in young patients, especially in ch ildren having lived in endemic zones. The preoperative diagnosis is based o n clinical findings and ultrasonographic, computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging findings. The fronto-orbital approach is most commonly u sed for treatment. Infectious and functional prognosis depends on early sur gery.