Two different presentations of orbital echinococcosis: a report of two cases and review of the literature.

Purpose: To report two patients with different presentations of orbital echinococcosis, namely hydatid and alveolar cysts and to compare their clinical, imaging and histopathologic findings and treatment.

Methods: This retrospective study includes two young rural children who were referred because of progressive proptosis.

Results: Orbital imaging in both cases revealed cystic intraorbital lesions. With a clinical suspicion of hydatid and alveolar cysts, both patients underwent intact surgical excision. Histopathologic evaluation confirmed the diagnoses.

Conclusions: Clinical findings and imaging can help in the preoperative diagnosis of patients with orbital echinococcosis. Knowledge of the nature of cystic orbital lesions is important in preventing complications. Alveolar cysts are more invasive than hydatid cysts and their treatment is more complicated.