Ultrasound findings in orbital hydatid cysts

PURPOSE: To describe the ultrasound features seen in orbital hydatid disease, which may confirm the diagnosis preoperatively. DESIGN: Interventional case series. METHODS: Nine patients of orbital hydatid cyst were evaluated preoperatively with ultrasound and computed tomography scans. The diagnostic features seen on ultrasound as well as the CT features are described. All patients underwent surgery to remove the cyst, and the diagnosis was confirmed surgically in all nine cases. RESULTS: We found that ultrasound was most helpful in diagnosing a hydatid cyst, even more so than a computed tomography scan, and we saw a diagnostic "double wall" sign in all cases, on ultrasound, a sign not previously described in orbital hydatids. CONCLUSIONS: It is difficult to diagnose an orbital hydatid cyst preoperatively. However, we found that the double wall sign could be elicited ultrasonically in all cases of hydatid cyst, if looked for carefully, and the diagnosis could be confirmed. (C) 2003 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.