Filarial Worm Infestation of the Nasolacrimal Duct: A Rare Orbital Presentation

Abstract

Filarial infestation of the nasolacrimal duct is exceptionally rare and often misdiagnosed as benign lacrimal pathology. We present a 12-year-old boy with progressive medial canthal swelling initially suspected to be a dermoid cyst or inflammatory lesion. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-defined enhancing lesion at the nasolacrimal duct with preseptal edema. Histopathology demonstrated a parasite with a thick eosinophilic cuticular wall and inflammatory infiltrate rich in eosinophils and foreign-body giant cells, consistent with filarial infestation, possibly Onchocerca species. Surgical excision followed by antifilarial therapy resulted in complete recovery without recurrence at 3-month follow-up. Heightened clinical awareness in endemic regions is essential to enable timely diagnosis and effective management.

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BibTeX RIS

BibTeX

@article{kalekar2026filarial,
  title = {{Filarial Worm Infestation of the Nasolacrimal Duct: A Rare Orbital Presentation}},
  author = {Tushar Kalekar and Jyothsna Yeluru},
  journal = {Annals of African Medicine},
  year = {2026},
  month = jun,
  doi = {10.4103/aam.aam_104_26},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.4103/aam.aam_104_26},
  note = {CC BY-NC-SA 4.0},
}

RIS

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Filarial Worm Infestation of the Nasolacrimal Duct: A Rare Orbital Presentation
AU  - Tushar Kalekar
AU  - Jyothsna Yeluru
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/06/05
JO  - Annals of African Medicine
DO  - 10.4103/aam.aam_104_26
UR  - https://doi.org/10.4103/aam.aam_104_26
AB  - Filarial infestation of the nasolacrimal duct is exceptionally rare and often misdiagnosed as benign lacrimal pathology. We present a 12-year-old boy with progressive medial canthal swelling initially suspected to be a dermoid cyst or inflammatory lesion. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-defined enhancing lesion at the nasolacrimal duct with preseptal edema. Histopathology demonstrated a parasite with a thick eosinophilic cuticular wall and inflammatory infiltrate rich in eosinophils and foreign-body giant cells, consistent with filarial infestation, possibly Onchocerca species. Surgical excision followed by antifilarial therapy resulted in complete recovery without recurrence at 3-month follow-up. Heightened clinical awareness in endemic regions is essential to enable timely diagnosis and effective management.
SN  - 1596-3519
SN  - 0975-5764
ER  -

Abstract

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