RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Echinococcosis represents one of the most common human parasitoses in some geographical areas. Orbital involvement is extremely rare. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the records of our Medical University Centre between 1984 and 2006, we found 10 cases of orbital hydatid cyst. RESULTS: Among them, 6 males and 4 females; the ages ranged from 2 to 60 years and 7 cases (70%) were less than 12 years of age. The main symptoms of orbital hydatid cyst were slowly progressive unilateral proptosis (100%) with visual loss (90%). The presumptive diagnosis was made on the images obtained from computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging. Surgical removal was the main treatment; although, it is frequently complicated with cyst rupture and spillage of the contents. For this reason, we adopted the technique of cyst puncture with irrigation. A postoperative antihelminthic treatment has always been used. CONCLUSION: Hydatid cyst is an endemic disease in Morocco. Orbital involvement should be considered in the differential diagnosis of proptosis especially in children known to have been in affected geographical areas.