Palpebro-orbital myiasis in a patient with basal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: We report a patient with basal cell carcinoma presenting with severe myiasis in a large ulcer involving the upper and lower eyelid.

METHODS

Myiasis is an infestation of vertebrate animals by larvae of certain fly species. About 70 larvae were removed manually. A biopsy of the tissue underneath demonstrated a basal cell carcinoma. The myiasis was produced by the fly Lucilia sericata, currently used for treating chronic nonhealing ulcers. Because of the stage of the carcinoma, an orbital exenteration was carried out.

RESULTS

The patient died 2 days later because of cardiopulmonary failure not related to the myiasis.

CONCLUSIONS

We present a case of a severe orbital myiasis focusing on its management and life-threatening nature.