Orbital Inflammatory Syndrome Secondary to Flea Bite

A 34-year-old previously healthy Hispanic male presented to the emergency room complaining of progressive left upper eyelid swelling and pain for more than 2 weeks. He was previously diagnosed and treated for a "pink eye" but failed to improve. He reported a previous "bug bite" around the left lateral canthus a few weeks prior to admission. Computer tomography orbit with contrast showed left exophthalmos, an enhancing left lacrimal gland and orbital inflammatory signs suggestive of possible intraorbital abscess. Intravenous antibiotics did not improve his symptoms. Surgical debridement showed no abscess but inflamed soft tissues and lacrimal gland. Intravenous steroids failed to improve his symptoms. On postoperative day 3, the patient reported that an insect had "jumped" out from his left orbit. Identification of the specimen proved to be a mature flea. Biopsy of the lacrimal gland showed degranulation of eosinophils and foreign body material consistent with probable insect leg parts. Accepted for publication February 19, 2018. Disclosure: Collection and evaluation of protected patient health information was HIPAA-compliant. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Amina I. Malik, M.D., Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, 6560 Fannin Street, Suite 450, Houston, TX 77030. E-mail: aimalik@houstonmethodist.org © 2018 by The American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Inc., All rights reserved.