Orbital sparganosis in an 8-year boy: a case report

Area of Science:

• Parasitology
• Ophthalmology
• Zoonotic Diseases

Background:

• Sparganosis is a food-borne parasitic zoonosis prevalent in Asia, typically affecting subcutaneous tissues, brain, breast, and lungs.
• Ocular sparganosis is rare, and often overlooked in pediatric cases due to its higher prevalence in adults.
• Risk factors include consumption of raw or undercooked meat from infected animals and traditional folk remedies.

Observation:

• An 8-year-old boy presented with a month-long painless mass in his right eye.
• The patient reported a history of eating frogs and applying frog poultices to his eyelids.
• An elliptical mass was identified near the medial wall of the right eye, with positive serodiagnosis via ELISA.

Findings:

• Histological examination of the surgical specimen revealed calcified parasite eggs and a foreign body granulomatous reaction.
• Surgical resection was performed for the ocular mass.
• The patient experienced a full recovery with no visual impairment due to early detection and intervention.

Implications:

• Ocular sparganosis should be considered in pediatric patients presenting with eye masses, particularly with relevant exposure history.
• Early diagnosis and surgical intervention are critical for successful treatment and preventing vision loss.
• This case highlights the importance of considering rare parasitic infections in differential diagnoses for pediatric ocular conditions.