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Taenia coenurus in the orbit of a chinchilla
Author(s) -
Holmberg Bradford J.,
Hollingsworth Steven R.,
Osofsky Anna,
Tell Lisa A.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
veterinary ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.594
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1463-5224
pISSN - 1463-5216
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-5224.2007.00501.x
Subject(s) - exophthalmos , anatomy , cyst , orbit (dynamics) , biology , pathology , medicine , surgery , engineering , aerospace engineering
A 4‐year old, male intact, captive‐bred chinchilla ( Chinchilla lanigera ) was presented due to progressive exophthalmos of the right eye over a 5‐month period. Ophthalmic examination revealed exophthalmos with dorsal displacement of the right globe. Retropulsion was decreased and a fluctuant, subcutaneous mass could be palpated posterior and dorsal to the central aspect of the zygomatic bone. Transdermal ultrasonography revealed a fluid‐filled mass consistent with a cyst located within the ventral right orbit. Computed tomography demonstrated dorsal displacement of the globe, lateral displacement of the zygomatic arch, and numerous mineral‐dense foci within the lumen of the cyst. The cyst was removed en bloc by ventral transpalpebral orbitotomy. Histopathology revealed a single capsulated cyst with multiple invaginated protoscolices, characterized by a prominent scolex with refractile hooklets, suckers, and abundant calcareous corpuscles consistent with a Taenia coenurus. Exophthalmos resolved with surgical therapy and there was no evidence of recurrence or postoperative complications over a period of 2 years. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of an orbital cyst of parasitic origin in a chinchilla.