A case of palpebral dirofilariasis

PURPOSE: Dirofilaria repens infection is the most frequent and widespread dirofilariasis in the world. In Italy subcutaneous dirofilariasis is present especially in Northern-Central areas. METHODS: A woman with a palpebral lump is presented. RESULTS: After subcutaneous and muscular décollement, the authors found and removed a parasite. The final diagnosis was subcutaneous parasitosis due to D. repens. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery was both diagnostic and therapeutic.